Many have developed the habit of pointing to the absence of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for the failure to control crimes in public spaces, road accidents, custodial deaths, theft and several other anti-social activities. The surveillance device has been portrayed as an anti-crime tool, making people believe that it can solve crimes. No wonder the number of CCTV cameras has increased exponentially across the globe over the last few years. China may have earned the dubious distinction of having the highest number of surveilled cities but several Indian cities like New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Indore too have a heavy presence of such devices. Some find the presence of CCTV cameras reassuring while others see it as a grave concern, arguing that it invades privacy as the everyday lives of the people are under constant surveillance. On one hand, science and technology enhanced criminal investigations and CCTV cameras undoubtedly help in identification of criminals by capturing them in action, while on the other, there are cases of authorities apprehending wrong persons after analysing camera footages and studies also say that increasing the number of surveillance devices doesn’t necessarily decrease crime index. New Delhi is a classic example for this argument. It is a debatable topic though, as has been the case with many electronic devices currently available in the market. What is certain is that devices like CCTV cameras can assist but not solve crimes. The police can. So, the tendency of over-reliance on technology to tackle crimes while undermining law enforcement agencies can be counterproductive. The authorities need to strike a balance between technology and uniformed personnel.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]In the case of Nagaland, it is the abject lack of video surveillance system that has been a point of contention for years, and not otherwise. So, the launch of CCTV cameras by the chief minister at various police stations in Kohima came as a welcome move. The state government also said that it will soon install similar devices in all 83 police stations across the state to enhance security and eliminate the fear of custodial torture as well as false allegations. This initiative will help both the police personnel and those in custody not to break the law. In fact, the state needs more surveillance devices at strategic and crime-prone locations, especially in Dimapur and Kohima. However, such measures should not be taken at the cost of violating citizens’ privacy rights. More focus should be given to strengthening human elements of controlling crime. It is the law enforcement agencies that should go the extra mile to ensure the safety of the citizens. The public should also help curb anti-social activities by staying vigilant and work with the police. The need for surveillance arises only when people do not respect the law and the police fail to perform its duty diligently. It can’t be equated with safety.