The Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) is going to set up 50 Closed Circuit Cameras (CCTV cameras) at the important points of the port city to evade any kind of criminal activities, particularly abduction which increased alarmingly across the country in the recent period
CMP sources, however, said initially the cameras would be set up at seven entry and exit points of the port city to monitor movements of every vehicle to combat crimes.
During a meeting over the issue yesterday, the CMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam decided to keep strict watch for evading any kind of criminal activities and political violence, said Babul Akhter, additional deputy commissioner of Detective Branch of CMP.
The seven entry-exit points, where the CC cameras will be set up initially, are Toll Road, City Gate, Shah Amanat Bridge, Kalurghat, Kaptai Rastar Matha, Patenga Beri Badh (embankment) and Oxygen areas, he said.
“The control room of the cameras will be set up in DB office at CMP Headquarters from where three teams will work for monitoring round the clock,” he said.
A unitary network will work for the initial set up while the CMP will convey to private donators for full implementation of the setting up the cameras in the city, he also said.
He said, “The CMP is taking this measure to root out crimes from the important cities which plays important role in the country’s business, commerce, tourism, export, import and other sectors.
Besides, the law enforcers will also get support from the cameras to monitor over any accident, political programme and people’s movement, added the DB personnel.
“As only the decision of setting up cameras in the city only came out yesterday, now we are working for budgeting for the project and other related works, said Banaz Kumar Majumder, additional commissioner (crime and operation).
He said, “The defame of the port city as “smuggling transit” would be removed after setting up the cameras as we can be able to monitor whole the city and take preparation to face any untoward situation within a short time,” he added.
CMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that the port city would be the second city where police have close vigilance over the whole city by the implementing the project, after the capital.