Cops dragging residents into CCTV cam project

​Hyderabad: The initiative of the state government to install one lakh CCTV cameras in Hyderabad to bring the entire city under police radar and make it safe is drawing flak from some residents, who have accused police of fleecing them for money to install cameras.

Executing the AP Public Safety Act 2013, some police officials have asked commercial establishments, residential welfare associations and communities to fix closed-circuit cameras in their vicinity. Several corporate firms have come forward to donate money for this project and many associations, both residential and commercial have installed the cameras with their contribution.

• Residents asked to write contributory cheques in favour of private companies
• Police deny forcible collection; say it’s voluntary and transparent

Thus several lakhs of rupees were mobilised and installation of CCTV cameras was also taken up at several places in the city. In places like Tukaramgate, the appeal evoked little response. There is no clarity on what to be done in such cases when no one comes forward to donate money for installation of CCTV cameras.

Taking advantage of it, the police personnel have forcibly collected money from the residents at apartments. The flat owners were forced to pay from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 for CCTV camera installation. The amount was taken in the form of cheques in favour of a particular company. Though, very few people questioned this, most of the residents remained silent fearing the wrath of the police.

Speaking to The Hans India, Girish Reddy, a resident of Maruti Apartments in Tukaramgate, deplored the forcible collection. He said if residents were not interested to take part in the community CCTV project, the government or the municipality concerned should take steps in providing safety to public.

“It is not good in a democratic setup to force the common people to bear the financial burden. Moreover, the police neither held meetings with the residents’ association nor informed us about the companies that offer cameras. They forced us to pay money in favour of Aegis Automation India Pvt Ltd Company. Is it justifiable,” questioned Girish.

The government should create awareness among the public about the importance of the project. Then local police concerned should organise meetings to discuss with the residents. “We do not understand whether it is over enthusiasm by the police or a scam vested,” alleged Girish.

However, the police denied the allegations and said that they did not force the residents to pay money to a particular company. They also said that everything was transparent in the community CCTV project.

Responding to a query, Tukaramgate inspector T Laxmi Narayana said they have explained the residential welfare associations about the cameras and their advantages and put a list of empanelled companies before them to choose.

“The company concerned is empanelled by the city police to install CCTV cameras. Moreover, we did not force any association or community to pay to certain company. Only with the consent of the residents we have collected cheques and the residents always have the option of donating money according to their capacity,” the inspector said.