THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Surveillance cameras will be installed in 520 police stations in the state within four months as per the directions of the Supreme Court. The system, which can record video and sound for 24 hours and store it for a year and a half, cost Rs 46 crores. The contract is with Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a Central Public Sector Undertaking. TCIL also sets up camera systems in Rajasthan and Bihar.

Up to 13 cameras will be installed at each station. The footage will be kept secret so as not to be tampered with. It can only be opened with the secret password of the district police chief. In case of damage, repairs will be made within six hours. The reserve will have one hundred cameras. In 2018, CCTVs installed at 274 stations will also be upgraded to the new system. The SHO must ensure that the camera is running smoothly. Aninverter will be set for this. These visuals will become the main evidence against the police in lockup and station custody assault cases.

Station entrance, exit lanes, reception, lockup, corridors, inspector and sub-inspector rooms, lockup exterior, station hall, station premises, duty officer's room, defendant's seating room everything will be under surveillance.

'Surveillance systems will be set up at all stations. They also work on special software to prevent tampering.' said Manoj Abraham, ADDGP, Police Headquarters