Lucknow: Next time you see a spider-like object whirring overhead, beware as it might shower pepper and chilly powder to chase away an unruly mob.
The small unmanned mini-chopper hovering in the sky might be one of the drones deployed by Lucknow Police to control mobs besides rendering its usual task of functioning as an eye-in-the-sky.
As many as three drones were today launched by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at a function organised by the state capital Police function to felicitate 14 special police officers (SPO).
Public CCTV project 'Nazar Ek Ummed' and 'Drishti' city surveillance project were also launched at the function.
These three drones, with prices between Rs 3 to Rs 12 lakhs, include 'octacopter' which has eight cameras to take snaps and visuals from different angles. It also has an inbuilt chamber in which pepper powder can be filled and released from the top to disperse unruly mob, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Yashasvi Yadav told reporters.
Addressing the gathering at the occasion, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that installation of CCTV cameras would help not only in maintaining law and order but also for traffic management and crime control.
"I think with installation of CCTV cameras, the behaviour of common man will also change as they would know that eyes of camera are on them. Soon the modern control rooms will be established in more cities of the state," Yadav said.
Stating that corruption and law and order were the two "favourite" issues that are raked by opposition parties, Yadav said that he wanted to ask if any where in the world crime has been fully eradicated and police stations therein closed.
"We have to appreciate the good work done by police even in adverse situations. As far as corruption is concerned it cannot be checked without public support. Use of technology could also help in checking corruption," he said.
Applauding his government's role in taking up issues of police force, Yadav said that in his regime maximum number of pending promotions have been made.
"We have also given chances to maximum number of police officers to take charge as DGP and probably for the first time extension was given to a DGP of the state,", Yadav said.
Under the smart city surveillance project launched today, nearly 280 cameras will keep round the clock vigil at 70 main intersections.
Also 5,000 cameras already installed in various public places were also linked to the police CCTV control room, the SSP said.
