ALWAR | Dec 25, 2016: To curb the growing menace of illegal mining in the area, the Alwar police have placed CCTVs on hillocks to identify trucks passing through the area.
"We have placed CCTVs in various areas. Live feed from these cameras will be saved in a centralized data room. A team will watch these surveillance cameras to catch offenders," said the police.
The cameras have been placed in different locations on Ajmeri Gate Road, which is the main route used by illegal miners to transport mining products from Rajasthan to Haryana.
"Apart from the 24-hour video surveillance of the area, eight home guards have been deployed to keep a watch on this main 'gateway' used by the mafia," added a senior police officer.
The police added that the Rajasthan-Haryana border was a favourite spot for illegal miners. "In the last five years, we have seized around 600 tractors, JCBs and other heavy machinery that were used for illegal mining," the police said.
In the past, the Alwar police had carried out multiple raids in Bhiwadi area and subsequent interrogations of drivers and miners had revealed that the mafia depended on the Ajmeri Gate route to transport minerals.
"It's a strategic area which is difficult to monitor. But with the help of cameras, we will get regular feedbacks and details of wvery vehicle passing through the route," said police SP Rahul Prakash.
These cameras have been placed on electric poles and trees to ensure that the mafia has no clue about the location of these CCTVs.
"llegal mining also takes a toll on government revenues. Very often, local villagers are also involved with the mining mafia and turn violent when the police carry out raids or interrogate them" a senior police officer told TOI.
"Cameras have also been placed at Gandholi, Kharkhadi, Toopkada and Nimbhera police station areas which are also prone to crimes," police said. Cops believe that during winter criminals target institutions in industrial areas of the city.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)