Is CC TV an operational or just a record making device ?

B. Anmol Sharma *

As we all discussed about intelligence; as there was no intelligence failure or there was no intelligence agencies both found to be calloused while stating in the public. As if, provided close circuit tel-vision (CCTV) is always brought in front of the public, wherever such failure of intelligence come into discussion.

As of the same situation has rolled over the importance of the Close Circuit Tele- vision (CCTV) in the recent 13th July 2011 Mumbai blast. Queries over queries, questions and answers over the blast incident -so discussions turned to be terrorist attacked on Mumbai.

The IB, R&AW, state intelligence, Anti-Terrorist squads, the Military Intelligence and other departmental intelligence agencies have been muted but the importance of CCTV has become prominent and prime factor in failure of detection and failure of sending information during the terrorist activities were going on in Mumbai, which of the discussions upon the security has been indicated by intellectuals’ ,security agencies, media exposies and political democrats are on the public premises.

That, is CCTV would merely purpose to see the recorded reel after an incident has taken over? Or, is it an effective intelligence device which is physical and practically operational?

No one is found to be answerable. But it is found to be usual practice and checking by reeling back the recorded events in the machine after an incident took placed, as third umpire after a cricket game is over. But public demand is not like that. Public opinion is to make red handed detection and immediate action over the plan before the sabotage is occurred and make CCTV fruitful-in turn-make the terror futile.

To install a CCTV- keeping the machine on without operator or unattended seems to be useless. But, one thing is obvious that; it entertained the TV viewers on regular post incident discussions , hence intellectuals vocalize, languish and throw the ideas as beating a bush after the bird flown out, Indeed a churning analysis is necessary- to come down to the point of causation of the incident for which a defensive logic would be provided for the government; henceforth CCTV is very useful in all respect.

In the sense, merely putting CCTV in the lanes, charlies and in the dark prones within intelligence operational administration without operator will not give full proof security for the population in the city /town.

As and when doubtful activities/ movements appeared on the camera either of known/unknown faces all should have immediate report system, should be maintained regularly; so that the uninvited mis-happenings can be protected, so that immediate action upon the uncalled happenings can be taken up, so that the ears and the eyes of the government would be able to keep alert and make agile.

The Government of India is aware of the intensity of the terror groups in India as well as in abroad. How much intelligence nets are working in India ,how much investigation Teams are going around, what anti-terror squads are smelling in the lanes are all dictates of the disciplines, which is not exist in the society, which is the irreparable problems of India.

Not a single intelligent agency has tried to touch the system of operation of the CCTV. Whether the CCTV operators are on the screen and are making immediate marking over the scanning of the information of a scene which could be materialized for the nation by pass on message to the authorities; either of the system of passing message through hotline or through coded verse to the police HQR or to the departmental HQ for necessary action would be more responsible act.

Otherwise simply rotating CCTV cameras into the lanes on the highway, operators are on game board shall not fulfill the definition of vigilance. CCTV cameras is very successful intelligence devise if meaningfully utilized with correct operation, with timely reporting system and immediate action in the administration is exist.

Therefore, simple analysis of the previous situation already prevailed at a particular place,after an uncalled incident even been appeared, even been occurred as eye witness on camera but operators are not sensible and not having the thought of responsibility to forward the unusual activity on the screen, which would hazard to the national security to be forwarded to the head of the security would be first hand intelligence report has been taking as toy, which always leaves the question marks behind the capable administration.

Therefore, to employ operators, regular employment to deal CCTV operation and give proper training of the employees so that the importance of CCTV for the nation on the security point of view can be benefited to the administration.

Unless care of such device been kept in mind simply collecting technical and tactical importance from the resource personnel, technical hands, tactical importance and critics, media experts and political mud slinging will not pay the price of the sacrificed persons who were innocent.