26/11 Mumbai terror attacks: 9 years on, Mumbaikars monitored by 5,000 CCTVs

Mumbai: Nine years after the alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists entered the city, terrorising its citizens, 5,200 hi-tech Closed Circuit Televised (CCTV) cameras were installed in November 2016. These cameras have since helped city cops to not only keep an eye on possible untoward incidents, but also in increasing crime detection rates.

Some 5,000-odd CCTV cameras installed at around 1,510 spots in the city are working as the virtual third eye by helping the cops detect crimes, ranging from molestation and thefts, to murders. While CCTVs are helping in keeping a sharp eye out at spots that are know for notorious activities, the captured images are increasingly helping officials in solving cases by providing strong evidence.

The policemen deployed near Budhwar Park in south Mumbai, the spot from where Ajmal Kasab and other terrorists entered the city in a fisherman’s boat during 26/11, said, “There is round-the clock police deployment at this spot, with at least three constables guarding the post. The area is patrolled throughout the day and night, and a keen eye is kept on the shores of the sea.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (operations) Deepak Devraj, told The Asian Age, “The CCTV cameras are helping to increase the detection rate and it is proving to be very useful in probes.”

“The cases which used to take several months to crack are now being solved much quickly,” the police official added.

Mumbai was caught unawares by terror attacks on November 26 , 2008 that lasted till November 29, 2008, killing 164 people and wounding at least 308. The 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror outfit, had laid siege to the city, carrying out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks which lasted for four long days, shocking not just the city but the nation and the world as a whole.