Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 13: At least eight batteries of CCTV cameras were stolen in Sahid Nagar area, a police official told Orissa POST.
“At least eight batteries of CCTV cameras were stolen from the area in the last few days,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
One person was detained by police Saturday for allegedly purchasing the stolen batteries.
“SK M Islam was earlier apprehended by RPF officials in connection with the same case. We brought him to the police station for investigating his role in the thefts of CCTV camera batteries from Sahid Nagar area,” police said.
Islam claimed innocence saying he had no clue the batteries were stolen.
“I didn’t have any clue that the batteries I purchased were stolen ones. I gave Rs 500 for each battery and later I sold them for Rs 550 each,” he said.
Earlier, batteries of 12 cameras mounted at different junctions in the city were found to be missing, while the Orissa State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation Ltd was in the process of installing the cameras at important public places in February.
Batteries were even stolen from two cameras that were already functioning, it is learnt.
“Orissa Police Housing Corporation installed the batteries in such a manner that it is very simple to take them out. The batteries are fixed on an electric pole just above the CCTV cameras. The batteries are kept in a box which is very easy to open,” a senior Commissionerate Police official said.
“The placement of the batteries of CCTV cameras at the moment makes them very vulnerable. We cannot deploy a policeman for the security of every CCTV camera installed in the city. The very purpose of having a camera would be defeated. The batteries need to be shifted to a safer location as soon as possible,” he added.
Batteries of CCTV cameras, before they became operational, were stolen from areas like Kalpana Square, Gautam Nagar, Rabi Talkies Square, AG Square and Siripur Square among other areas, prompting the police department to buy new batteries for the cameras.
Two incidents of theft were reported even after the CCTV cameras started functioning from February 5.