Days after the death of a man in a police station that led to a political war of words between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Opposition parties, the Kolkata Police have released funds for getting installed more CCTV cameras for a better vigil on the premises of police stations in the city. Also, a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) has been issued to all the police stations on conserving the CCTV footage for a minimum period in an attempt to fully comply with the Supreme Court's orders. All police stations will send regular CCTV footage along with a report to their respective divisional heads. These CCTV cameras will be equipped with recording audio with video, it is learnt. The move comes after senior officers at the city police headquarters recently sought a report on the status of CCTV cameras installed in police stations. Up to Rs 50,000 per police station has been released to every police station, it is learnt. Besides, daily food allotment for accused lodged in lock-ups has also been increased. “We also want foolproof coverage of police stations as it will also help the police clear people's doubts if something happens there," said a senior police official. “Twenty four police stations have CCTV cameras at all important spots. Many have as many as 8-14 cameras. At least four cameras are installed in all the police stations," a senior official said. Ashok Kumar Singh, who was in his forties, had died at the city’s Amherst Street police station on November 16 after he was summoned in connection with a mobile phone theft. The death sparked controversy with the family alleging that he was physically tortured by the officials, sources said. Of a total of 83 police stations in the city, nine are women police stations and one each is of cyber cell and the special task force (STF). Of these, only 24 police stations fully comply with the Supreme Court's order by ensuring the full coverage of CCTV cameras. Currently, most of the police stations have CCTV cameras installed at the entry and exit points, on-duty officer's room and outside the lock-up room. However, the SC order says that police stations should have full CCTV coverage, except toilets and changing rooms. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police is in process of setting up at least nine police stations in Bhangar to ensure effective policing in the area, an official said. Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) secretary Ranjit Sur said, “Installation of CCTV cameras cannot stop custodial deaths. Political use of police is one of the prime reasons behind such deaths."
