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The rising crime rate in Guwahati - a city that serves as the gateway to the North East, with a large floating population, has prompted the government in Assam to install CCTV cameras at vantage points. The city also plans to introduce a police commissionerate.
A committee headed by former state Director General of Police D N Dutta had recommended installation of CCTV cameras at 91 locations in the city besides introduction of a police commissionerate to make the police force more effective and responsive in the time of crisis.
The committee was constituted after the October 30, 2008, serial blasts in Assam that rocked three places in the heart of Guwahati city killing over 90 persons in the state.
An official source informed that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had instructed the state Chief Secretary N K Das to initiate all necessary steps to introduce a police commissionerate in Guwahati, while at least two CCTVs would be set up in the city by the end of this year.
The Central government has sanctioned Rs 10.38 crore for installation of CCTVs in the city. These CCTVS will be installed at traffic intersections, markets, shopping malls, parking areas and other crowded localities in the city.
Trader bodies in the city welcomed the decision to introduce a police commissionerate saying it would strengthen the police force. The trading community has been at the receiving end of the rising crime rate in the city. At least two businessmen were shot dead by gunmen last month.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the responsibilities of senior police officials in the ranks of additional superintendent of police and deputy superintendent of police had been divided to streamline the functioning of the force.