Almost two months have passed since the Dilsukhnagar terror attack, but the city’s security apparatus appears to be as complacent as before. Begum Bazar, which was under the scanner after the Dilsukhnagar blasts for sometime, is back in focus only after Wednesday’s bomb blast in Bangalore.
The area, said to have been recced by terrorists, is still devoid of high-definition CCTV cameras, which were supposed to be installed by the state government.
Home minister Sabitha Reddy said after the terror attacks that the 3,500 CCTV cameras would be installed within three months. But that didn’t happen yet.
Although the city police have intensified checking in the city, traders at Begum Bazar said that the security scenario did not improve post-Dilsukhnagar blasts.
“The police commissioner and other officers visited the area after the attack and they will probably come again after another blast,” said Ghanshyam Bhati, president of Hyderabad Kirana Merchants Association. “Except continuous power supply to the street lights, there is no other change,” he added.
The cameras installed by his association were the only ones functioning, Ghanshyam said, adding that the encroachments, which pose the real problem, continue to come up in the busy business area.
Why should all businessmen have to install them? Where are the cameras which were sanctioned?” he asked. Other businessmen said the checkings done by the police after the blasts only proved to be a hassle for traders.
“They would seize our money during the checks and ask us to produce proof that it belongs to us. What is the link between money and the blasts?” wondered Govind Rathi, a trader from Sultan Bazaar.
Bhati also pointed out that the promise of setting up police outposts is yet to be implemented.
When contacted, KM Kiran Kumar, inspector at Begum Bazar police station, said 64 cameras have been installed after the February 21 blasts and patrolling has been increased. However, he admitted that the CCTV cameras promised by the state government are yet to be set up.
“During the last meeting, I was informed that 24 high-definition cameras have been sanctioned for Begum Bazar,” he said.