‘Steps taken to safeguard life, property of citizens’
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 6: District Administrations in Kashmir valley today asked all the commercial establishments to install good quality CCTVs while directing them to inform the police in case of any suspicious movement observed in the closed-circuit television system.
In this regard, orders have been issued by the Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, Budgam and Anantnag stating that in view of the prevailing persistent threat, relating to recently increased incidents of selective targeting of the innocent citizens in Jammu and Kashmir by the “anti-national and subversive elements”, requires several measures, including the use of appropriate technologies, to safeguard the “life and property” machinery.
“There exists a number of banking and financial/ business establishments like banks/ATMs, jewellery shops, petrol pumps, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, cinema halls, wine and beer shops, eating joints, ready-made garment shops, show-rooms, small markets, educational institutions, places of worship, bus stands, railway stations, airports hospitals and offices, where transactions are held in cash or a place frequented by a large number of people with a likelihood of gathering of 50 people or more at a time, where CCTV cameras are not installed to cover the outer areas of such establishments,” the orders stated.
The Deputy Commissioners have stated that the installation of CCTVs would not only help in controlling crime but will also help in the flourishing of business, tourism and overall growth of society by preventing danger to human life and safety.
The orders issued in this regard state that to deter criminals, anti-social and anti-national elements from committing crimes, the installation of CCTV outside such establishments would work as a force multiplier, which would inspire further confidence in the general public/customers visiting these establishments.
The Deputy Commissioners have issued the orders for strict compliance by the owners of such establishments and market associations of such markets whether registered or not, “who shall within a period of two weeks (14 days) from the date of publication of this order shall take the necessary steps.”
It is to be noted here that so far only 3 districts have issued orders in this regard, while as it has been learned that the Home Ministry has issued the necessary orders in this regard which will be complied by all other districts in days to come.
The District Administrators said that the orders issued in this regard shall remain in force for 60 days, “unless withdrawn earlier, and subject to further extension or modification.”
With regard to the exact location, the orders issued state that the cameras should be installed/ located in such a way that they should cover the approach areas at the entry and exit points of establishments/market association of shops and also entry and exit points of parking lots of the establishment/market association of shops up to a distance of 40 meters.
“Ensure that the CCTV system so installed is in working condition at all times, 24 x 7 even when the establishment is closed,” the orders said.
Concerning the specifications, the order stated: “The CCTV system should be of good quality with a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080, Minimum Illumination of 0.01 Lux, Focal length of 3.6 mm, Built-in IR and retention period of 30 days, with feature to playback as well as download the recording; provide the CCTV footage to the police and other law enforcing agencies whenever demanded.”
Also, as per the orders, the concerned have been asked to inform the Station House Officer of their nearest Police Station in case any suspicious movement or activity is observed in the CCTV system.
“This order promulgated, shall come into force with effect from 5th April 2022 and shall remain in force of the period of 60 days, unless withdrawn earlier, and subject to further extension or modification. Any contravention of this order shall attract legal consequences as are contemplated under Section 188 of the India Penal Code 1860,” the orders stated.
Follow our WhatsApp channel