The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mamunur Rashid

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is installing crime-surveillance cameras in the city to apprehend criminals, according to DMP sources.

In the backdrop of the deteriorating law and order situation in the mega city the government has taken up the initiative to bring the total city area under camera surveillance.

Under the project, 155 close circuit television (CCTV) cameras were supposed to be installed at 59 points in the city. About 93 per cent work of Tk 61 crore Asian Development Bank (ADB) project has already been completed.

AIG (Telecom) Aleem Ahmed told the New Nation that the installation of the CCTV at the vantage points in the city would be completed by early next year.

According to the work order issued in November 2006, the 'Command Control and Communication System' project involving setting up of a crime control monitoring online system at the Abdul Ghani Road Headquarters and establishment of four 90-meter towers for networking in the city, was scheduled to be finished by June 2007.

There will be display boards at 31 points where the general people will understand the traffic situation and DMP messages flashed for the public view.

Police source said, "There are cameras in parking lots, at road intersections and banks. It's just that the police aren't watching, and that's the difference."

Meanwhile, the DMP authority has purchased electronic equipment for the networking of the 35 Police Stations in the city. The law enforcement agencies tried to make a complete list of the criminals but failed to do so without proof. With the new technology police could be able to identify the real criminals.

AIG Ahmed told the New Nation that shots preserved in crime-surveillance cameras could be submitted at courts as evidences.