Rameswaram hotels directed to install CCTV cameras

Rameswaram: Hotel and lodges in Rameswaram have been directed by the police to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras as part of security measures to keep a tab on the lakhs of pilgrims thronging the holy island.

"Rameswaram is one of the holiest places in the country and lakhs of pilgrims from across the country and abroad visit it every year. To check intrusion of any terrorist or anti-social elements under the guise of pilgrims, we have asked all lodges to install CCTVs, Ramanathapuram District Superintendent of Police Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said.

Talking to reporters, he said that police had asked the lodge and hotel authorities to verify the identity of pilgrims booking rooms and alert the police if they have any suspicion about anyone.

CCTV cameras played a major role in tracing culprits in recent bank robberies and other crimes, he said adding that efforts would be made to install them at important junctions and roads in Rameswaram for traffic surveillance too.

To a question about large number of sadhus roaming around Rameswaram, he said that police would keep a track on them.