The drone which was used to track shops kept open in Curchorem after 1 pm.
SANGUEM
The sight of a police team on patrol usually deters violators of the curfew, but the cops in Curchorem have hit upon a novel method to keep an eye on violators even without physically being present at the site.
With the aid of technology and tech-savvy youth, the Curchorem Police have been deploying a drone to aerially identify shops and other business establishments kept open beyond 1 pm during the statewide curfew.
According to police sources, some shop owners and street vendors were found keeping their shops open beyond 1 pm during the curfew which has been extended till May 31.
“Varad Karmali, a young lad from Curchorem, offered his drone services to the Curchorem police to identify such establishments and penalise them for the violations,” said the source.
“The drone took a few rounds over the Curchorem market area and we found several shops open and doing business beyond 1 pm.”
“After having obtained footage from the drone, the police then confronted the violators and asked them to close down their shops and establishments. Customers caught making their purchases beyond the specified time were also informed about the prevailing situation,” the police source added.
The police also appealed to people not to unnecessarily move around in the market area.
When contacted, Karmali said the idea to use the drone service was proposed by him as it could check on illegalities even before police could reach the site.
“Normally, people shut down their shops and establishments on noticing the police. In other cases, the violators escape from being caught by the police.”
“Using the drone services at regular intervals will help police keep a check on repeated violators of the curfew, thereby ensuring public safety during the pandemic,” Karmali added.
