'Lovers run away seeing police, some in school uniform'; just another day in Alappuzha beach

ALAPPUZHA: Surveillance cameras will soon occupy most nooks and corners in Alappuzha and Punnamada beach area, where thousands are pouring in every day. With public support, the tourism police will install five surveillance cameras in the initial phase.

As a first step, five cameras will be installed along the main roads adjacent to the beach. Cable work for this has been completed. Punnamada Beach will get surveillance cameras only in the second phase of the project.

With this project, the authorities reckon that they can put a stop to the burgeoning anti-social activities on the beach premises.

A majority of the tourists who reach the beach area during morning hours are lovers, says the police. To escape the local eyes, they mostly couch in the south side of Ayyapan Pozhi or behind the tree shades in the Vijay Park area. During the last day's police patrol in this area, almost ten people including lovers ran away in fear. Some of the girls had school uniforms, said the police. The camera is set in such a way to grab all happenings of this area including those of the people going down to the beach.

Before this, the police had removed the bushes and small trees near Vijaya Park using JCB last day. Punnamada Tourism Police Station was started in 2001 with six personnel for the safety of tourists. The station was shifted to the beach in 2014 after being given the responsibility of beach security. The police personnel were later increased to 14. However now, the current strength of police officials is seven. No matter how much the traffic increases during the holidays, there is no following of proper norms for deputing officers from Alappuzha South and North Police Stations or AR Camp. This has now led to no patrolling in the area.

New Cameras

1. Near the park

2. Bishop's House

3. Opposite Women and Children Hospital

4. Wind Park

5. Near Vijaya Park