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Cyber cafes, phone booths under surveillance in U.P.

Allahabad: 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,” Allahabad Zone Inspector General of Police Pramod Kumar Tiwari told PTI.

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 such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Lucknow and Gorakhpur, he said.

“As a part of the administration’s 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,” Mr. 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 owners. Police stations in-charges 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.

The Inspector General of Police also said that cops were making special arrangements “to prevent subversive elements from fomenting communal tension during the upcoming festive season.”

“We have undertaken an extensive public awareness campaign in view of the festivals of Id, Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali. Our stress is on improving communication between police and public and on instilling a sense of confidence in the masses. People have also been requested to guard against rumours and report immediately to police whenever they come across any matter that threatens peace in their localities,” Tiwari added. -- PTI

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