Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 1: Incensed by the fact that CCTV cameras fitted at Anjuman Mallagul Falah Madrasa building in Subhasnagar here have been pointed at the residential area located behind this building, locals held protest on Thursday April 30 evening. As the protesters stuck to their demand for the removal of these CCTV cameras, situation in the area turned tense.

On Thursday evening, four CCTV cameras were installed in the said building, which has been built in the residential area of Subhashnagar. Two among these cameras face the area located in behind the building. There are a number of houses behind this area, and these CCTVs are located in such a way that they capture activities happening around toilets of these residences. The locals alleged that these CCTV cameras interfere with the privacy of the residents in general, and women and girls in particular, as these cameras are able to record happenings inside and around their houses.

The situation turned tense, as the locality has a number houses belonging to both Hindus and Muslims. Assistant superintendent of police, Kalyani Shetty, Ullal station house officer, Pavitra Teja, and Ullal police sub-inspector, Bharati, stayed put in the area for sometime, and held talks with the protesters. When the policemen said that no steps would be possible immediately as the clerics were not present at the time, the locals stuck to the demand for the removal of these cameras immediately. The policemen told the crowd that they had examined the CCTV cameras and that the cameras have been positioned in such a way that privacy of individuals is not meddled with. They invited the women protesters to enter the Madrasa and check for themselves this fact, if they so desire.

When the protesters did not budge, Ullal station house officer told them that the police have blocked these CCTVs from getting any power connection, and promised to officially instruct the Madrasa office bearers on Friday morning to remove these CCTV cameras. Policemen from Ullal station and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) have been posted in the area to stop any untoward incidents from occurring.

There had been dispute over the construction of Madrasa in this residential area, and the locals had held protest against it, as soon as the Madrasa was built and mosque began functioning there. Later, the dispute had been settled after the microphone of the building was removed. On February 15 this year, another dispute had cropped up, after a gang assaulted a group of women who had protested against giving call for prayer from this building through loudspeakers. The gang which attacked the women was later attacked by another gang, giving rise to tension in the area. After the incident, KSRP contingent had been deployed in the area. Now another dispute has arisen in the matter of CCTV camera installation. Disputes relating to this building have been giving sleepless nights to the police since long.