Police personnel deployed at Jagannath Temple in Puri to have body cameras

BHUBANESWAR:Police personnel deployed at the Jagannath Temple, Puri, have been equipped with body cameras. According to SP (Puri) Prateek Singh, this security measure aims to enhance surveillance capabilities and ensure the safety of thousands of devotees, who visit the temple daily.According to police, the introduction of body cameras is part of a broader strategy to further strengthen security protocols and provide real-time monitoring of activities on the temple premises. “All our personnel deployed at the four gates of the shrine have been fitted with body cameras, featuring audio capabilities and substantial storage capacity. This is expected to significantly enhance surveillance of suspected persons entering the temple premises.

The cameras will also aid in prohibiting restricted articles from being brought inside the temple,” the SP said.These devices will enable police officers to capture high-definition video footage, which can be crucial for investigations. The footage can also serve as valuable evidence in case of any untoward incident.The development comes in response to a series of security breaches at the temple in the recent past.

Despite heightened security following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, there were several incidents of unauthorised entry by devotees carrying spy cameras and mobile phones. In July, unidentified persons managed to scale the outer perimeter wall (Meghanada Prachira) and gain access to the shrine, further highlighting security vulnerabilities.Police believe that the presence of body cameras will act as a deterrent to criminal activities and ensure greater accountability among law enforcement personnel. “The body cameras will help identify and take action against non-sevayats (servitors) who attempt to pose as sevayats to gain unauthorised access. The footage recorded by these cameras will help in improving overall safety and security within the temple,” Singh said.