10 CCTV cameras not working at Mecca Masjid

HYDERABAD: Investigators probing the Zaveri Bazar bomb blast in Mumbai recently have ended up virtually groping in the dark, with no CCTV cameras installed despite the area being targeted thrice by terror attacks. But at the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, a possible soft target, though there are CCTVs installed most are dysfunctional. Police said 23 CCTV cameras were installed in the Mecca Masjid following the bomb blast in 2007. However, there has been no maintenance done ever since, leading to 10 cameras becoming non-functional. Officials said mosque authorities could not take up maintenance works due to lack of funds. The issue of snags in CCTVs came to light when deputy commissioner of police (South Zone) Vineet Brijlal reviewed security arrangements recently. “I had already told the committee which deals with affairs of the Mecca Masjid, to immediately address the issue,” Vineet Brijlal said.Police said the Mecca Masjid along with several other religious structures are still soft targets and they could not neglect the security including non-functional CCTV cameras. Officials said the state government would soon issue an order for releasing funds in form of a grant. Recently, city police commissioner AK Khan disclosed that only 40 per cent of the total CCTV cameras across the city were found to be working. Khan also said in order to cover the city completely, 2,500 additional cameras should be installed soon. The four CCTV cameras on Charminar, however, were found to be working.