The State government has decided to procure to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones to curb crime rate in the state.
The decision was taken after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu watched a demo on functioning of various types of drones. Later, Mr. Naidu held discussions with Director General of Police (DGP) J.V. Ramudu and Advisor to Home Department P.C. Gandhi on purchasing UAVs here on Tuesday.
Mr. Ramudu explained that UAVs can be used to keep surveillance on crowds, anti-social elements, infiltration of terrorists, Naxalite activities, red sanders smuggling and other major operations.
The Chief Minister directed the police to procure ten drones which can be used for Krishna Pushkarams to be held in August . The drones, carrying high resolution cameras, can fly up to one hour covering 5 km radius.
Drones can be pressed into service to keep a watch on natural calamities, crop and water management, drug smugglers, religious processions, rioting, smuggling of ganja and other contrabands, traffic control, identifying criminals and other purposes, they explained.
Mr. Ramudu said drones would be pressed into service immediately and Intelligence, Law and Order police would operate them. Depending upon the situation, operation of drones would be given to district Superintendents of Police and also to the Forest Task Force, the DGP added.
The drones, carrying high resolution cameras, can fly up to one hour covering 5 km radius
