Visakhapatnam: Vizag is slowly slipping into organised crimes and witnessing the inter-state gangs crime, but the enforcement officials failed to strictly implement the AP Public Safety (measures) Enforcement Act-2013 to install CCTV cameras where more than 100 people gather at a time. Though the cops have instructed the management of schools, commercial and businesses and other public establishments to set up their own CCTV cameras and other safety security equipment, only 20 to 30 per cent establishments are equipped with the surveillance cameras.
A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said that they have identified over 1,200 establishments — educational institutions, commercial establishments, sports complexes, religious places, railway station, banks, bus stations, cinema theatres, hotels, industrial units, lodges, guest houses and a few others where more than 100 people gather at a time and asked them to set up CCTV facility with video footage for a minimum of 30 days and make it available for inspection.
Though the Act came into force in 2013, the implementation of public safety Act is still a long way to go, says DCP, K. Fakeerappa. The stakeholders have to install the CCTV cameras to prevent the possible crimes, he added. Senior advocate and president of Forum of Legal Professional Kuppili Muralidhar said that Vizag is tipped to be a smart city and at the same time slowly losing peace sheen. But, ironically, most of the establishments in Vizag lack CCTV cameras, which were essential for security, he added.
Sources said that as per the rules of the Act, the police, along with GVMC and revenue officials should inspect and submit reports on whether CCTV cameras have been installed and whether they are properly functioning.
