Berhampur Cops In Odisha To Wear Body Cameras After Alleged Assault Case

Berhampur: After Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police, Berhampur police have introduced body cameras for its personnel to ensure transparency in their dealings with public.

This came a day after a differently-abled man from Sikkim was injured after allegedly being struck on the head with a lathi as police attempted to intercept a two-wheeler he was riding pillion, during a routine vehicle check near Gopalpur on Sunday evening.

““The body cameras will ensure transparency and good behaviour by police towards common people. These will worn on the button of the uniform,” Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M told reporters.

The cameras have coverage of 120 degrees and can record up to six hours of footage. “The compact devices can capture audio and video recordings during interactions between police and public, especially errant motorists caught violating traffic rules,” he said.

At present five such cameras have been fitted on the personnel on duty at Sunda Chowk within Gopalpur police limits along with important and busy locations of Berhampur city.

Last month, Bhubaneswar police launched body cameras for police personnel deployed at the reception desks to record interactions with people who come to lodge complaints, following the alleged sexual harassment of a woman and torture of an army officer at Bharatpur police station.

THE ASSAULT CASE

Yogesh Sherpa (34), who works at a momo shop in Balugaon, reportedly lost consciousness after allegedly being assaulted by a woman SI, 2 OAPF personnel and a home guard of Gopalpur police station at Sunda Chowk around 7.30 pm on Sunday.

He was admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here and later referred to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

The SP, quoting a doctor, said that Sherpa lost consciousness as he was drunk. A probe is being conducted by the additional SP of Berhampur and stringent action will be taken against the police personnel if the allegations are found true, he added.