Berhampur traders asked to CCTV in shops, vantage points

The police have asked traders, particularly in the main business hub at Bada Bazar area here, to install CCTV in their shops and some vantage points on the road as it would help curb crime.
"It will be easy for the police to detect crimes like looting and dacoity in the area based on footage in CCTVs", Berhampur Superintendent of Police Anirudha Singh said.
The suggestions were made to representatives of Ganjam Chamber of Commerce (GCC) after they met the SP in connection with the looting of Rs 10.75 lakh from an employee of a wholesale potato trader at gunpoint after attacking his driver on Tuesday in the area.

The miscreants had also looted several lakhs from another trader in the same area six months ago, the SP said.
"During that time also, we had suggested to the businessmen to install CCTV in their shops as well as on the by-lanes in the area but it was not done," he said.
Singh had also suggested not to carry cash in the by-lanes. Routes should be changed frequently while carrying the cash, he said.

GCC president VVRN Rao said the chamber would ask its members for installing CCTVs in their outlets at the next general body meeting next month.
Urging the SP for setting up a police outpost in the area and intensifying patrolling for safety of businessmen, Rao said such a step would be helpful to the traders and the people.

Even two days after the incident, the police were yet to get any clue. "Investigation is on and we are hopeful the miscreants will be nabbed soon", said a police officer.