Una police leverage tech to combat crime, manage traffic

In an effort to check incidents of crime and to manage traffic more effectively, the Una district police are gradually making use of the latest technological interventions like the Intelligent Traffic Management System and high resolution cameras.

Una SP Rakesh Singh, during an interaction with mediapersons today, said 100 high resolution CCTV cameras are being installed on the inter-state borders with Punjab in Haroli subdivision and that 25 sites have already been identified to install these cameras. He said these cameras have night vision capabilities and that a command and control centre is also being set up to monitor these cameras round the clock.

The SP said the cameras were being procured by the State Transport Department and in the second phase, inter-state roads at Mehatpur, Gagret and Amb besides flow of vehicles to and from the Chintpurni shrine will also be covered. He said this would not only help keep a tab on anti-social elements and criminals, but will also assist in tracking heavy vehicles involved in illegal mining.

The SP said two reserve police teams had been sanctioned by the district administration to check illegal mining, but these were withdrawn during the last Assembly elections. He said he has requested that these reserve teams be provided again to tackle the illegal mining menace.

Rakesh Singh said the Una police were also using the Intelligent Traffic Management System, a computer application capable of managing traffic flow on the highways, improving road safety, reducing traffic congestion and communicating traffic jams and mishaps to the concerned police command centers. He said the physical presence of police on the roads may seem reduced, but the movement of traffic on the roads is all the time under the scanner, adding that the system of e-challans has been activated and traffic violators are being issued online tickets.

The SP said technology has also helped nab criminals involved in drug peddling, adding that during the last one month, substantial amount of heroin has been seized from about half a dozen criminals coming from across the state’s borders. He said an accused from Hoshiarpur, named in the death of a student from NIT Hamirpur due to drug overdose has also been arrested by the Una police.

Rakesh Singh cautioned the people against rising incidents of cyber crime. He said frauds involving hacking mobile phones and cheating people through debit card credentials is on the rise. He added that no bank or financial institution seeks information regarding the bank account of any individual and people should not share this information or mobile passwords with anyone.