You will be watched!

Cops issue circular to install CCTV in all Pune hotels and lodges



In a knee-jerk reaction to the German Bakery blast at Koregaon Park, city cops have issued a circular to all hotels and lodges in the city asking them to install CCTV cameras.



The circular, a copy of which is available with this paper, reads, "In the wake of the blast that has happened in Pune, all the hotels and lodges should collect identity proof like PAN card, passport or driving license from the visitors. Also they should install CCTV cameras on the outside door and the reception of every hotel. This has been ordered by the seniors."

There are around 200 to 250 hotels and lodges in Pune that have been ordered to follow the circular and install the cameras at the earliest.

The circular was handed over by the senior police inspectors of the respective areas to the hotel owners
or managers.

A senior police inspector said, "This is a safety measure that will help keep track of visitors at hotels. The CCTV cameras will play an important role in keeping an eye on suspects and will also be helpful during investigations."

Santosh Wankhade, manager of Hotel Dreamland, said, "The police had come to the hotel and checked the rooms. We follow all the required instructions and take down all the details of the visitors. Now, we will also install CCTV cameras."

Meanwhile, the police conducted a thorough background check of hotel records, screening all the visitors that checked in on the day of the blast and two days prior.

Cyber cafes checked

Cops have also checked all the cyber cafes and taken the records for screening.

Nitin Mane, who works for Arihant Communications Internet cafe in Koregaon Park, a few metres away from the blast site, said, "Cops have taken the details of people who had visted the cafe and used the Internet few days before the blast. They have asked us to be more vigilant and note down all details of the users like passport details and addresses of foreigners."

Rs 80,000
Approximate cost of a CCTV camera

Rs 1 lakh
Approximate cost of a metal detector