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With growing calls for the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations as a tool to check police harassment, cops in the state are divided on the proposal. A few police officers raised concerns of privacy arguing no one likes to be under constant surveillance. But, civil rights activists say this would be the only way ahead to make police stations more accountable and transparent.
A Madras High Court is presently hearing a petition seeking a direction to the state government to install CCTV cameras covering every room, corridor and entrance of each of the police stations in the state. The demand has gained significance as there has been a surge in custodial deaths in 2013, with 15 reported deaths. The state police were sharply criticised recently when a juvenile was shot in the neck in a Chennai police station and a 19-year-old man was shot dead by a sub-inspector in a police station in Ramanathapuram district.(Source: Security Today)
Activists are demanding not just installation of CCTV cameras, but interlinking them using internet for a centralized monitoring by senior officers. “With web-based CCTV cameras installed in their premises, Police officers will avoid using violence to extract confessions or intimidate those in custody and will have to look for scientific and technological methods to investigate crimes. This will contribute to the dependability and reliability of evidence produced by the Police in Courts,” says A Narayanan, who had filed the petition in the Madras High Court.
However, for a section of police officers, the idea of being under watch of CCTV camera is uncomfortable. “We are also human beings and police stations are our workplace. We may have casual chats with our colleagues or share a light moments during our work. Will anyone feel comfortable if their movements are being constantly recorded in a camera?” questions a police inspector.
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Chennai police divided on call for CCTV in police stationsA Madras High Court is presently hearing a petition seeking a direction to the state government to install CCTV cameras covering every room, corridor and entrance of each of the police stations in the state.
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