CCTVs in Police Stations will make policing transparent: VS Nayak

Hemant Soren Government’s decision will strengthen public safety, police accountability and transparency

Vijay Shankar Nayak, State Spokesperson of the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee, welcomed the Cabinet decision to install CCTV cameras in all police stations across the state and said that this decision under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren is an important step towards protecting citizens’ rights, ensuring police accountability and promoting transparent governance. He said that a police station is the first institutional point of contact for an ordinary citizen seeking justice and security. Effective CCTV surveillance at entry gates, reception areas, interrogation rooms, lock-ups, malkhana (property rooms), police officers’ offices and other sensitive locations will help protect the rights of both police personnel and citizens. It will also enhance transparency in police functioning and assist in an impartial investigation by establishing the actual facts in the event of any incident.
Vijay Shankar Nayak said that the installation of CCTV cameras should not be limited merely to putting up cameras; there must also be a clear system for secure storage of footage, regular monitoring and accountability. He suggested that the government should prescribe an adequate retention period for CCTV footage and establish secure digital backup and audit mechanisms to prevent tampering with or manipulation of recordings. He further said that along with CCTV surveillance, Citizen Facilitation Desks, dedicated assistance counters for women and senior citizens, and online complaint-tracking systems should also be strengthened at police stations. Every citizen visiting a police station with a complaint or application should be provided an acknowledgement receipt and a facility to track the status of their complaint.
The State Spokesperson said that police reform does not merely mean maintaining law and order; it also means ensuring respectful treatment of citizens, time-bound grievance redressed and protection of vulnerable sections of society. Therefore, the government should also priorities adequate deployment of women police personnel at all police stations, cybercrime assistance desks, safe complaint mechanisms for women and children, and accessible facilities for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. He said that CCTV surveillance is as important for protecting police personnel as it is for protecting the general public. In cases involving false allegations or misunderstandings, CCTV footage can serve as an objective record and provide factual protection to police personnel as well.
Vijay Shankar Nayak said that the decisions being taken by the government on issues directly connected with the people under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren convey a clear message that the Centre of governance must be the safety, dignity and rights of the people. The Congress party welcomes such public-oriented initiatives and expects the government to ensure their effective and time-bound implementation at the grassroots level. He further urged the government to ensure quality, transparency in the procurement process, regular maintenance and accountability in the implementation of the CCTV project so that the initiative does not remain merely a government announcement, but actually provides every citizen visiting a police station with a sense of security and confidence in justice.
Vijay Shankar Nayak
State Spokesperson
Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee