SAHIWAL, Jan 1: At a time when security should be the foremost priority of those at the helm of affairs, 28 non-operational closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) at highly frequented public places speak volumes for official neglect.

The security apparatus is all the more necessary for Muharram to guard against any untoward activity.

The cameras, which are considered a reliable security tool, have been lying non-functional for the last four months as the district police authorities have failed to provide operational cost required for these gadgets, sources told Dawn on Tuesday.

Last year, the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) in coordination with the district police had installed 28 CCTV cameras in busy commercial localities in the city. While most of the cameras were meant to capture daily activities at the public places, some of them were installed to monitor Zuljinnah procession route to enhance security apparatus for the Youm-i-Ashur.

The CPLC bore most of the financial cost (Rs1.4 million) of the project. A central control room also was established at Rescue 15 office at Saddar Bazaar Chowk where 28 television screens were supposed to operate round the clock.

Arif Ikram, the regional police officer of Multan, had inaugurated the CCTV cameras’ project six months ago. At that time many observers objected that there was no proper mechanism to protect the cameras in the first place. No permanent mechanic for maintenance of cameras was hired, except one operator.

Just a month after installation, it seemed as if the days of the facility were over as two cameras went missing. Not long after did many other cameras get out of order; something which led the people to believe that low-quality gadgets had been installed as a cosmetic security measure.

Sources said the ‘theft’ of the two cameras was reported to the city and Fatehsher police, but no FIR had been instituted to date. “None of the cameras has been functioning for the last four months,” they said.

“Yes, all (cameras) are closed,” Chaudhry Muhammad Rafiq, incharge Rescue 15, confirmed to Dawn. A visit to the office revealed that not a single camera was operational.

An official, who talked to this correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said even the cables of these cameras were missing. “No proper maintenance mechanism has been devised for the protection of cameras,” Rafiq said.

Camera operator Shahid added to the sorry tale by saying that “one week ago I collected a camera lying on ground at Mission Chowk.” He said unavailability of proper mechanic and regular finance assistance required as running cost are main hindrances to CCTV cameras’ functioning.

There is only one operator from day one, although four mechanics and two operators were proposed for the project, he said.

It is also learnt that three months ago a report was submitted to the RPO office, Multan, which clearly indicated that all the 28 cameras were properly working. In order to make these cameras operational once again, at least Rs1 million are required but neither the police department nor the CPLC is ready to take the responsibility.

Many security personnel believe that proper functioning of CCTV cameras can provide better view of overall security arrangements for the main Zuljinnah procession.

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting attended by provincial ministers Malik Nadeem Kamran and Ashraf Sohna, IGP Shaukat Javed, Home Secretary Nadeem Asif, Sahiwal Division Commissioner Tariq Mahmood and other senior officers reviewed security arrangements for Muharram the other day, but the issue of CCTV cameras didn’t figure on the agenda.

DSP (city circle) Rao Dilshad said:

“The required cable has been purchased and all cameras will be made operational within days.”—Correspondent