TIRUPATI: The forest department will install CCTV cameras and set up a command and control room soon in Tirupati to keep a watch on trespassers. The department has installed 16 cameras in the forest which were being operated by a company from Hyderabad; some of the cameras are not working. Many smugglers were caught with the help of the CCTV cameras. The major encounter in which 20 red sanders smugglers were killed in April 2015 was based on information gleaned from CCTV camera footage.
Anti-Smuggling Task Force IG Kantha Rao while briefing mediapersons a few days ago said, “We have caught many of the smugglers near Hotel Sarovar but the CCTV camera fixed there is not working. Many cameras need to have regular maintenance”. Speaking to this newspaper, a police officer from teh Task Force said “The cameras should not be kept fixed. The smugglers will be alerted to their presence and find other routes. Our plan of action should be ready before theirs.” The command and control room will be installed in one of the rooms in the bio-lab. The forest department has a budget of Rs 14 lakhs for the purpose.
Speaking to this newspaper, Additional Principal chief Conservator of Forests B.K. Singh said “We will buy cameras as per the requirement. Our team is identifying the strategic locations so that the smugglers will be easily identified. My aim is to prevent smuggling to the maximum. I will not compromise in doing it.”
