Drone surveillance & spot tests to curb drug activity around hostels: Malkajgiri CP Sumathi

HYDERABAD: Malkajgiri police commissioner B Sumathi on Thursday announced intensified anti-narcotics and law-and-order measures in the Dilsukhnagar and surrounding areas, citing the concentration of educational institutions and student hostels in the area. The move follows her surprise late-night foot patrol in plain clothes at Dilsukhnagar on May 2, during which several youngsters approached her with unsavoury remarks, prompting a wider review of night-time safety and youth behaviour.Speaking to the media after meeting with private hostel managers, students, pan shop operators and local residents at Dilsukhnagar on the evening of May 7, Sumathi said that the police aim to build a drug-free society and would maintain continuous monitoring of student activity. As part of the strategy, she said that drone surveillance and CCTV footage analysis will be used to track late-night movement around hostels and other sensitive points, where drug peddling and consumption are noticed. Night patrol teams have been equipped with drug detection kits to conduct spot tests on persons found suspicious.She said more than 70% of the 3,200 CCTV cameras in the Dilsukhnagar-Saroornagar-LB Nagar areas are functional and integrated with the command control room for real-time monitoring and response. A special audit of hostels in Dilsukhnagar and surrounding areas is being conducted, and hostel managements have been directed to install high-resolution CCTV systems and alert parents as well as cops if behavioural changes among youngsters are noticed. “Youngsters should work hard at this age to make a good career. They should not be indulging in bad habits like use of drugs. NDPS cases are serious offences and youth should stay away from drugs,” the commissioner said.Sumathi also warned pan shop operators of stringent action if they resort to sale of prohibited banned substances. She urged local residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with police efforts and report suspicious activity.