Srinagar, Jan 25: The police has found a reliable friend in technology at least when it comes to security arrangements as tech-savvy cops make the best use their laptops and internet connection to maintain what could be termed e-vigil.
 This holds true for the January 26 arrangements this year, in the City, where, from Google maps to mobile tracking, the security arrangements remained an online affair for the police department.
 Greater Kashmir learnt from reliable sources that for security arrangements, some senior police officials made use of Google Earth –online mapping software, which gives clear satellite images of world, obviously including Srinagar City.
 “Printout of the map was handed over to cops on patrol in the areas,” said a police official adding “Earlier also we were equipped with maps but they couldn’t give the real life feel of the area.”
 “Now a cop on duty knows his area very well,” he said adding Goggle earth maps have made security arrangements more convenient.
 Besides, special Mobile Surveillance devices have been installed near Bakshi Stadium, the main venue for January 26 celebrations in the summer capital to keep a track of suspected callers.
 “The same will be used to jam the mobile network during the function,” said a senior official in the City police.
 The police is being assisted by telecom operators of various mobile companies in keeping a track of the mobile calls around the venue.
 “These teams have been on a 24 hour duty analyzing the suspect calls,” said an official.
 He said the mobile surveillance was being counter monitored by some senior officials through a specialized software on their laptops.
 He said the laptops of senior police officials have access to the CCTV footage of police cams installed in various areas of the City including the Bakshi Stadium.
 Earlier, the CCTV footage was only monitored at the Police Control Room but now senior officials have access to it through laptops.
 The tech-savvy Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Kashmir range, Hemant Kumar Lohia said acquaintance with technological advancements particularly in computers had become  need of the hour.
 “We have to make use of all such advancements,” he told Greater Kashmir.
 He, however, said that e-vigil alone couldn’t help.
 “Today and tomorrow(Jan 26) is very crucial… We have to maintain tight vigil on all fronts.”
 The City Police Chief, Javed Reyaz Bedar, said computers help him in policing.
 “There was time when computer was Greek to people like me. But then we had to learn it, to use it.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST