Drones might have hit headlines long back but the tactical advantage presented by the miniature airborne device while it is being used during Dussehra for aerial surveillance has made police realise its significance for crime control and operations against ultras active along the periphery of the capital. Even though the idea of using drones was conceived to monitor crowd, it has come as a blessing for police.
As many as four drones have been bought by Jharkhand police to observe crowd during Dussehra and identify nefarious elements hidden among the swarm of people who flock pandals during the nine-day long festival.
The drones are being used for monitoring crowd behaviour at Bakri Bazaar, Bandhgadi and Kokar. As the latest bird on the city’s sky is recording people’s activities, police is counting on its present success for future gains.
“It is symbolic for now. It can be used for overhead photography and thus it acts as a deterrent. People will fear that they will be identified for doing anything wrong. Moreover, by the use of drones, everything is coming on record which could be used later as an evidence or convincing people in case of rumours,” said Ranchi SSP, Prabhat Kumar.
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Roving drones keep eye on Dussehra crowd
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Among the opportunities that the aerial surveillance device presents include creating security ring around VVIPs during public rallies, penetrating narrow bylanes where police cannot enter, keeping an eye on high altitude terrain and carrying out anti-naxal operations effectively.
“It is quite beneficial as we can keep a close eye even behind the wall at a particular point of time where there is no police presence. As in case of puja pandals, we are keeping a close watch even at places where police cannot be deputed,” maintained the SSP.
Being capital of Jharkhand and hence a place high on the itinerary of VVIPs, the drones could act as an extended arm of the State’s security forces in securing the lives of the VVIPs, especially in large public rallies.
Besides, the machine which is operated from ground can help in pre-empting naxals who sometimes inflict heavy casualty to police during anti-naxal search operations.
“We can track the rebels from behind 500 feet without being spotted by them as beyond a certain height it doesn’t create loud noise. Even if the drone is spotted by the Naxals, they can only target the machine which will alert us about their presence,” added Kumar.
Notwithstanding the benefits, police officials want to explore all the pros and cons of deploying drones for various purposes. Despite the effectiveness of the machine, a brain storming exercise is in the offing to assess suitability of the machines for local activities.