UP cops put cyber cafes, PCOs under surveillance
30th September 2008
The recent spurt in terrorist activities and links connecting many of the suspects to Uttar Pradesh have brought cyber cafes and telephone booths across the state under police surveillance with the former asked to install CCTVs.
"Police officials across the state have received instructions from the Director General of Police to keep a tab on the cyber cafes and PCOs, which have become an integral part of modus operandi of terrorist groups," Inspector General of Police, Allahabad Zone, Pramod Kumar Tiwari said.
He said instructions to this effect were given by the DGP Vikram Singh last week after a meeting, headed by the Chief Minister Mayawati, called to discuss strategies to thwart any possible terrorist strikes in the state.
Uttar Pradesh has been hit by a number of terrorist attacks in places like Ayodhya, Varanasi, Lucknow and Gorakhpur, he said.
"As a part of the administrations anti-terror mechanism, cyber cafes have been asked to install CCTVs to keep a record of visitors... Keeping a record of the names and other details of the users had been a practise earlier, though it turned out to be deficient as a person involved in a big conspiracy is unlikely to divulge his true identity," Tiwari said.
"Besides, PCO owners have been asked to keep a log of calls made from their numbers. They have especially been directed to keep a record of overseas calls and make the details available to the police whenever required," the IGP said.
"Directions to this effect have already been given to cyber cafes and PCOs owner. Police stations incharge also have been instructed to regularly carry out inspections of cyber cafes and PCOs within their respective jurisdiction and ensure compliance with the directions and report any development that arouses suspicion," he added.
Source: Indian Express