Kozhikode police stumped by defunct CCTVs

KOZHIKODE: The majority of the 76 CCTV cameras installed by the city police are defunct giving a set-back to the crime investigation, according to top police officials. 

Only fewer than ten of the 76 cameras installed in 2014 are working now. Deputy commissioner of police D. Sally said that the department had  already approached KELTRON for repairing them, but they had demanded a huge fee.

“We are trying to sort out things to get them repaired,”  he added.   The failure of the police department in signing an annual maintenance contract (AMC) with sufficient duration and strict maintenance conditions also has  resulted in the non-functioning of the cameras.  

The agency was not doing proper maintenance even during the AMC period, said an official.

Around 40 cameras were not functioning for over a year whereas 13 were damaged  in the fire that broke out after an accident on  Mavoor road, he said.

The cameras had given some relief to the  city police soon after the installation as almost all major junctions and happening places were under  ‘round-the-clock’ scan from the control room.

Any suspicious movement of vehicles, individuals, groups and mobs could be traced and the patrol teams concerned could be alerted, it was pointed out.

Moreover,  the footages also helped the police to identify the culprits who unleashed violence during agitations and clashes.  

Assistant commissioner of police (administration) P. Rau told DC that the police had  submitted a proposal to KELTRON through headquarters.