Amritsar, May 4
Facing flak from all quarters over the deteriorating law and order situation in the city, the police has decided to install close circuit TV cameras at major road intersections and strategically important places.

The state government has given its go-ahead and sanctioned Rs 4.5 crore for the project.

“The installation of CCTV cameras will not only help check rising crime in the city but will also provide evidence against the culprits,” said DCP Amar Singh Chahal.

The government has selected German-based company Schneider Electric, a manufacturer of CCTV cameras, in this regard. The company would also be engaged for the maintenance of the equipment.

Talking to The Tribune, he said cameras would be fitted on the crossings besides other sensitive points, including Taran Wala Bridge, Bhandari Bridge, Lawrence Road, Kechehari Chowk and S S S S Chowk, in the city.

It would also be fitted at major tourist and religious places like the Golden Temple, Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh, Durgiana Temple and Jallianwala Bagh.

These cameras would be controlled and operated from a central office headed by a team, led by an inspector-level officer, to keep round the clock surveillance.

This office would also be equipped with microphones which would enable them to convey the happenings to the officer concerned and direct them to deal with the situation. The team would work in shifts according to the workload.

Chahal said the quick response and PCR teams would also be sharpened in order to get good results. Admitting there was lack of performance on part of the quick response team in arriving at the incident site, he said this is all being taken into consideration and officers indulging in such lethargic approach would be dealt sternly.

It is pertinent to mention here that the two back to back incidents of robbery attempts leading to death of two private security guards, abduction of Chinese national and death of a priest in Sultanwind area have put a question mark on the police. Though the police cracked the abduction case and traced the Chinese girls arresting three RPF jawans in this regard, it is yet to find any clue in the two robbery attempts and killing of Church priest.

Tarn Taran, May 4
The Goindwal Sahib police allegedly detained a resident of Khasaspur village illegally and also misbehaved with his mother on Tuesday.

The resident was later released after the intervention of sarpanch of Dhotian village.

A deputation Kashyap Rajput Mahasang (KRM) met the SSP here on Wednesday and brought the matter to his notice. The SSP deputed DSP Goindwal Sahib to investigate the matter.

The victim, Balwinder Singh, while talking to newsmen here today said a police party led by SHO Goindwal 
Sahib forcibly entered his house in his absence on Tuesday afternoon.

He alleged that the police party then misbehaved with his mother Balbir Kaur (62), a hepatitis-C patient. Later, when Balwinder returned, the police took him to Goindwal Sahib police station.

He alleged that he was given third degree torture in the police custody for no fault of his. He added that he was freed at about 9 pm on the intervention of Paramjit Singh Dhotian, the sarpanch of Dhotian. He alleged that the police was yet o return his mobile phone.

A deputation of KRM presented Balwinder Singh before the SSP. DSP Goindwal Sahib refused to comment on the matter.

Nakodar, May 4
After the news of two policemen beating up a Dalit woman of Nangal Ambia village in Shahkot caught the attention of the media, the police flung into action and went to record the statement of the victim in the local Civil Hospital on Tuesday night.

Onkar Singh Brar, SHO, Shahkot police station, said the woman complained about the incident a few days ago. The SHO promised her to take strict action against the policemen if found guilty. When asked whether the police has called in woman to recognise the cops, he said, “Whenever the woman or her husband wants to come to Shahkot police station to recognise those cops, I will fully cooperate with them.” — OC

Jalandhar, May 4
The Vatavarn Bachao Chetna Forum has given an ultimatum to the Municipal Corporation (MC) authorities to stop the inflow of domestic sewerage waste into the drain before May 18, else they will block the Kala Sanghia drain.

Sital Singh Sangha, convener of the forum, said they were organising residents of scores of villages situated on the banks of the drain to block it on May 18.

He said the meetings were being held between government officials concerned and Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, who is at the forefront of the campaign launched to make the drain pollution-free.

However, if the officials failed to address the problem of masses even after the series of meetings, the residents would throng the drain on May 18 to block it indefinitely, said Sangha.