Questions were raised over allowing a private entertainment firm to use a drone for filming proceedings of the surfing event that began on Sasihitlu beach on Friday.
The use of the drone has been prohibited for civilian purpose by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation vide an order on October 7, 2014. On May 17, Superintendent of Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase issued a statement barring the use of drones for government functions and also near vital installations. If police come across someone using drones, legal action will be taken against such operators and the drones will be seized, Mr. Borase had said.
On Friday, the drone was found recording surfing performances on the beach. The camera was also used to record the inaugural function too.
When reporters brought the issue to his notice, Police Commissioner M. Chandra Sekhar directed Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajendra D.S. to take action. Yatish Baikampady from Kanara Surfing and Water Promotion Council told Mr. Rajendra that the firm had taken permission from Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha for using the drone.
Mr. Jagadeesha told The Hindu that the firm was permitted to use the drone for filming surfing events that can been used for promotion of Sasihitlu beach as a destination for surfing. They were also barred from filming VIPs. He said the firm had violated the permission by filming the inauguration function.
