Hubballi city police get new weapon for surveillance

North Karnataka region's first 'mobile command centre', a high-tech bus with modern surveillance and monitoring system including drone and jacket cameras, has added a special strength to the 'police eye' in the twin cities to keep vigil during huge gatherings like massive rallies, conventions, and protests.

The Hubballi-Dharwad police are now equipped with modern mobile vigilance system in a specially-designed bus, which can be parked near a crowded place, and monitor the visuals captured by a total of 19 cameras, covering the range of upto one km.

This vehicle, developed by Mistral Solutions Private Limited, has four CCTV cameras focusing on the surroundings of the vehicles, and four jacket cameras which can be used as moving cameras by the staff. In addition, it has a telescopic mast with high definition camera and LED flood light, and a drone too.

With remote transmission communication facilities, the mobile command centre has integrated communication system for wireless radios and GSM, video wall, public announcement system with speakers and wireless microphone, satellite TV with auto-tracking mobile DTH TV antenna, laptop, camcorder, binoculars, and megaphone.

Cameras in this vehicle do the work of around 60 policemen, and the vehicle has all the facilities to monitor and communicate, including video conferencing, said a police officer trained in managing this vehicle.

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy flagged off this vehicle at the old CAR police parade ground on Karwar Road here on Friday evening, and he stated that the vehicle, developed at a cost of Rs 2.16 crore, has been provided to help the police work more comfortably and efficiently.

2 more police stations

Speaking at the valedictory of the annual sports meet of the Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissionerate, Mr Reddy noted that a decision about the proposal to set up two more police stations here would be taken soon.

A total of 28,000 police constables have been recruited in the State in last four years, and steps are being taken to recruit 18,000 more police constables. Previous government had filled up only 11,000 posts. Now, the number of vacant posts has come down drastically, and police can work more efficiently, he said.

The government has a Rs 2,273 crore plan to construct police quarters. 2,000 quarters are already constructed, while 4,500 quarters are under construction. The chief minister has laid foundation stone to construct 4,500 more quarters in different districts, the home minister noted.

'Maintain communal harmony'

Law and order situation in the State is good, and stringent action are being taken against any organisation which is involved in violence and illegal activities. All political parties and citizens should strive to maintain communal harmony. Communal link should not be given to all murder cases, Mr Reddy added.

Deputy Commissioner S B Bommanahalli, and Police Commissioner M N Nagaraj also spoke. Mayor D K Chavan, NWKRTC Chairman Sadanand Danganavar, SP G Sangeetha, DCPs Renuka Sukumar, B S Nemagouda, and others were present.

Subhash Hanchinal and Suma Devadiga received individual championship in the police sports meet, while CAR team received the general championship trophy.