Policing in Cyberabad came under sharp criticism following the recent rape of a software professional.
Quite shockingly, the Madhapur police zone, from where the victim was kidnapped, has no boss for the past five months since T. Yoganand was transferred in May.
Since then, the zone has remained headless in Cyberabad despite the fact that more than 70 per cent of IT companies operating from the capital are located here.
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The prestigious Raheja IT Park near Mind Space junction, the point from where the woman was abducted, too, is within this zone.
Nearly 50,000 software professionals and other workers go in and come out of Raheja Park. Besides, scores of other IT companies, too, function from surrounding areas like Miyapur and Gachibowli.
“In the absence of the Deputy Commissioner of Police - who is the unit head of the zone - a situation of Inspectors and ACPs becoming complacent has emerged,” a police officer, seeking anonymity, said.
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The DCP usually co-ordinates with the Cyber Security Council, an organisation formed by the managements of IT companies located there, to handle security related issues, while those lower down are pre-occupied with the regular crime prevention and detection tasks.
Dead cameras
“Note that 16 surveillance cameras, out of the 40 in Cyberabad, are not working. And, there is no one to notice and rectify it,” pointed out the officer. Mere installation of surveillance cameras is not a comprehensive security strategy.
The quality of the video footage, its retrieval, annual maintenance contracts and payments for connectivity are crucial. These factors were ignored in Cyberabad, accept police.