Nagpur: State home minister Anil Deshmukh has urged the top brass of the police department to ensure that the use of Chinese manja is curtailed in the city.
During a programme at the Police Gymkhana on Sunday, Deshmukh also expressed grief over the death of 23-year-old Pranay Thakre due to nylon manja.
City police chief Amitesh Kumar and Zonal DCP Neelotpal later apprised Deshmukh about their effective use of drone cameras to keep a watch on kite flyers and also to take action if they were found using the banned manja during the ongoing festive season.
Deshmukh, who launched the body-worn camera project, handed over the gadgets to 10 traffic cops. He also appealed to citizens to not fall prey to cyber frauds promising the Covid vaccine. The home minister said cyber crooks can procure one’s bank and Aadhaar details by impersonating as health officials.
Deshmukh also urged Kumar to use the gadget to ‘sting’ road Romeos who target women on the streets, especially at desolate places.
Later, Deshmukh said body cameras would help the police to record violations, aggressive behaviour of violators and also improve overall policing.
The home minister also asked the CP to act against bikers performing stunts which often lead to fatal accidents.
Deshmukh stressed on using corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from public sector organizations such as like MOIL and WCL for procuring advanced quality drones with effective payload capacities and public address systems. He also urged the CP to ensure special illuminated poles for motorists to indicate the colour of the traffic signal ahead.
“Write to me about your requirement of advanced drones and I shall approach the Reliance group for your unit,” Deshmukh told the CP.
Deshmukh also said that in the next phase, CCTV cameras would come with sound quality of the public address system.
The home minister also inaugurated a compendium of traffic signals which were being prepared under traffic DCP Sarang Awad and his team studying the patterns of 163 signals in the city. Awad also said that traffic police have conducted studies on 18 over bridges and 52 black spots in city.
Kumar said body borne cameras would help cops record violations. “It’s modern technology will help in evidence-based policing,” he said.
Deshmukh praised Kumar and his team for conducting successful drives and also announced a reward of Rs50,000 for the Jaripatka police for recovering firearms.