Bengaluru: Former corporator stops CCTV installation at Idgah Maidan

BENGALURU: Tension prevailed at Idgah Maidan, Chamarajpet, on Saturday morning when locals, led by former corporator BV Ganesh, argued with police and BBMP officials as the latter failed to produce a government order mandating the fixing of CCTV cameras in and around the ground.
Cops and civic officials were busy digging the earth using an earthmover when the argument broke out around 11.30am. Eventually, the officials stopped the work.
Speaking to STOI, Ganesh said all they wanted was a copy of the order from the government. “Neither police nor BBMP officials could produce the order copy saying CCTVs should be installed in and around the ground. We are not against installing the cameras, but it should happen with a government order,” he said. “The Supreme Court has ruled saying the ground is public property and no ownership claim should be made by anyone. When such is the situation, digging the earth and installing CCTV cameras may lead to unwanted rumours and result in communal issues,” he added.
A senior police officer said they will install the CCTV cameras without digging the earth or entering the ground. “BBMP officials wanted to lay underground cables for high-resolution CCTV cameras. Now, we will install them outside the ground but focusing on the ground,” he said.