- Satellite system for raid on rebels

Jamshedpur, March 27: Laggard policemen on patrolling duty will be under surveillance of big bosses soon. For, the state government has decided to use satellite-based tracking system — Tetra Communication — to monitor the movement of all police vehicles, particularly those deployed for patrolling and carrying out anti-Naxalite activities. While the system will help identify personnel shirking duty, it will also be handy in spotting police vehicles attacked by Naxalites in woods. The system would help identify all the possible routes leading to that particular spot in no time.

The tracking system, to be introduced on pilot basis in East Singhbhum, would be installed by experts of an Australian firm having a centre at Burmamines. In fact, the firm has developed several aspects of this tracking system.

Sub-inspector Asgar Ali, who will be the in-charge of the monitoring system in Jamshedpur, confirmed that he had been informed about the introduction of the system here on pilot basis.

The system will be used along with the nationwide police wireless through a satellite-based network — Polnet. Sources in the police said that selection of sites for setting up of base station and additional towers in the city had been completed.

“Everyone knows that policeman on patrolling duty bunk duty. After a round of patrolling, personnel spend time chatting. When they are asked about their whereabouts, they bluff,” said a police officer.

“In case of any problem after the new system is introduced, additional force can be sent to the crime spot easily. The officer at the headquarters can easily locate the patrolling vehicles close to that place and direct them to the crime spot.”