All cities, towns under 24-hour surveillance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Friday said that all the cities and towns would be gradually brought under the 24-hour camera surveillance system in a bid to check crimes and ensure the safety of the people.He was speaking after commissioning the new surveillance cameras installed in the city by the State Police as part of the Traffic and Security Surveillance Programme.Chandy said that the camera surveillance system would be very effective in checking crimes, especially acts of violation of traffic rules, a major problem faced by the authorities.The abundance of high speed vehicles on the roads has also resulted in a major increase in the number of accidents. The surveillance system, once installed, would erase the mentality of the people that they can get away easily after violating rules if a policeman is not around.He also said that the State Government would provide full support to the State Police to expand the existing security systems and maintain their efficacy. Through the programme, the Police intend to bring the entire city under their constant surveillance by installing 190 camera units at all vital locations. The programme is simultaneously being implemented in Ernakulam and Kozhikode cities too.The police aim to install a total of over 300 cameras at 103 different locations in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode under the programme.    Minister for Transport V S Sivakumar, Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation Mayor K Chandrika, Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose and City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham also attended the commissioning of new surveillance cameras.