5k cops, 85 CCTV cams to keep watch

BELAGAVI: Unprecedented security arrangements have been made around Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) in Belagavi. This comes in the backdrop of largescale protests planned by various farmers' organizations and political parties during the monsoon session to be held from June 29 to July 10.
More than 5,000 police officials and personnel comprising 5 SPs, 28 ASPs and 76 DySPs are being deployed.Some 40 KSRP and 18 DAR platoons, 5 rapid action forces from Bengaluru, one Garuda vehicle, one Vajra vehicle, water cannons, bomb disposal squad, anti suicide squad, disaster checking scheme and others are being put in place.
Around 85 CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside SVS building. Besides unmanned aerial vehicles fixed with cameras will keep watch on activities surrounding SVS from sky. This apart, police cameramen and videographers will be on duty.
This is the first time that police personnel have been given smart cards to trace their location via GPS system. This technology will help strategise personnel deployment in case of emergency and supply food to those on duty. According to city police commissioner S Ravi, police officials and personnel from 18 districts are to be deployed in the city during session.
Accommodation for 8,000
The district administration has made accommodation facilities available for 8,000 people, including 5,000 police officials and personnel. Various hotels and guest houses have been booked for accommodating ministers, MLAs, MLCs and senior officials while nine different marriage halls and KIADB Hall have been booked for police personnel. Women police personnel will be accommodated at KEB Kalyan Mantap, deputy commissioner N Jayaram said.