I-Day gift for city: CCTVs at Writers’, HC, Nandan

Kolkata, August 11 Following the recent blasts in Gujarat and threat mails and bomb hoaxes in the city, police are installing close- circuit televisions at important spots including the Writers’ Buildings, Calcutta High Court and the Nandan complex. The move aims to upgrade the security of these areas.

Police commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti said: “The CCTVs will help us keep a tab on suspicious activities and prevent subversive or terrorist acts. We want to finish the installations by August 15.”

Sources said for now, only the VIP block of the Writers’ Buildings will be covered by the CCTV network. The cameras will be installed on two floors of the block where offices of ministers and secretaries are housed.

The cameras will also maintain a constant watch on the entry points of the building.

After the Gujarat blasts, the Kolkata Police had immediately obtained the home department’s approval for the project.

In the first week of August, the police had approached the HC, asking for its permission to install CCTVs in the court building.

The Judges’ Committee on internal administration discussed the proposal and sanctioned it last week.

It is learnt that nearly 20 cameras each would be installed at the High Court premises and the Writers’ Buildings.