Following a spate of terror threats to the South Indian cities -- like the one emanating from the recent Intelligence Bureau tip-off on Lashkar operatives sneaking into Hyderabad -- the cops are installing spy cameras at various points in Chennai.
Soon there will be spy cameras hidden at 75 locations across the city. The citywide video coverage will be used to combat terror threats.
"For the past two years, we have been receiving inputs on and off. So we now have our systems in place," said T Rajendran, Chennai Police Commissioner.
Monitored round the clock in a control room, the cameras are placed on roads, at shopping malls, railway stations, offices and on patrol vehicles. The move started as a measure to deal with traffic violations.
"As of now, we have about 35 surveillance cameras and that includes the security component as well," said Shakeel Akhter, Additional Commissioner, Traffic, Chennai.
In a few weeks, an NSG hub near the Chennai airport will become operational. The police is also exploring the possibility of using portions of the city's storm water drains for commandos to move swiftly under cover.
