Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has taken an initiative to bring four vital zones under the surveillance of internet protocol (IP) digital cameras with a view to checking criminal activities and traffic congestion in and around the city.
Commissioner of the RMP Mohammad Shamsuddin said primarily the city’s Bindur intersection, Saheeb Bazar, Collegiate School intersection and Lakshmipur intersection would be brought under the project setting up a total 16 IP digital cameras.
In recent times, the number of crime incidents has increased in the city and during the political turmoil it went beyond the control of police, said the RMP boss Shamsuddin.
In the pre-general election mayhem, police constable Siiddarta was killed and PSI Makbul Hossain ost his legs in a bomb attack in the city, but all attackers are yet to be identified, Shamsuddin said, adding that they could easily identify the criminals from video footage.
The city dwellers expressed satisfaction over installation of the cameras and hoped that the initiative would reduce criminal activities in the city.
Sikandar Ali, director of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said: “I welcomed these initiatives of the RMP because if the IP cameras are set up, the aggressors would not dare to vandalise business establishments in the city.”
General Secretary of Rajshahi Raksha Sangram Parishad Jamat Khan said the step of the RMP authorities was praiseworthy as it would help law enforcement agencies to identify the assailants and to ease traffic congestion.
A project involving Tk8 lakh has been sent to police headquarters in the capital to take measures to boost up security in Rajshahi city and later on the project has been approved, said Shamsuddin.
He said contractors had already taken steps to set up cameras on the respective spots.
“The IP cameras would be monitored remotely over the internet from the city police headquarters,” Shamsuddin added.
Apart from this, general people could be able to see the recorded video footage clicking a web link which will be given on the RMP website, he further added.
“In future, the entire city will be brought under this project,” he said.
Abdur Rahman Munna, proprietor of Labib Enterprise which was entrusted with the responsibility of setting up cameras, said they had set up cable and IP cameras at the selected zones.
“After completion of a few technical works, the service will be launched at the end of this month,” he said.