Berhampur: The Berhampur Police have stepped up surveillance on people with criminal antecedents amid concerns over alleged gang rivalry, intimidation and anti-social activities in different parts of Ganjam district.
As part of the intensified monitoring exercise, police have prepared a list of around 150 people with criminal records across 15 police stations under the Berhampur Police district. Those included in the list will now be required to report to their respective police stations every week.
Weekly Police Attendance Introduced
According to Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M, the new system has been introduced to keep a closer watch on active anti-social elements and their activities.
Under the arrangement, individuals included on the anti-social list will have to appear at their designated police stations for weekly attendance. They will also be required to provide information to police about their current activities.
Speaking to OTV, the Berhampur SP said the attendance system would help police maintain regular contact with people identified as active anti-socials.
“We are starting a weekly attendance system for those on the anti-social list, which has been prepared and kept ready in all police stations,” the SP said.
He added that those planning to leave the city would have to inform the police about their movements and the purpose of their visit.
Police Permission Required for Travel
The new monitoring mechanism also requires people on the list to inform police before travelling outside Berhampur or the district.
They may be required to provide written details regarding the purpose of their journey and the person they intend to meet. The information will allow police to track their movements and maintain closer surveillance.
The police intelligence wing has also been instructed to monitor the activities of those on the list and submit regular reports to senior officials.
Move Comes Amid Gang Rivalry Concerns
The intensified surveillance comes against the backdrop of concerns over reported gang-related activities, intimidation and other anti-social incidents in Berhampur.
Police believe that keeping a close watch on individuals with known criminal backgrounds could help identify potential threats at an early stage and prevent further criminal activities.
The initiative is also aimed at strengthening preventive policing and improving public safety across the Berhampur Police district.
Public Welcomes Move, Raises Questions Over Implementation
Senior citizens and social workers in Berhampur have reportedly welcomed the police initiative, particularly amid concerns over rising criminal activities.
However, some have questioned whether weekly attendance alone would be sufficient to prevent repeat offences. They stressed that the monitoring system would need to be supported by strong intelligence gathering, continuous surveillance and effective investigation to achieve meaningful results.
The effectiveness of the new restrictions will ultimately depend on how consistently the system is implemented and whether police intelligence mechanisms can identify and prevent potential criminal activities.
For now, the Berhampur Police are keeping the focus on preventive surveillance, with around 150 individuals brought under the newly introduced weekly reporting mechanism.
