A surge in criminal activities has been reported in Panchkula as a significant number of CCTV cameras, totaling 411 out of 473, are currently non-functional. Criminals have exploited the lack of surveillance, evident in a recent carjacking incident along the once-secured route of Saketri. Despite the installation of cameras, special check posts, and a police station in Saketri village, the recent crime indicates a return to criminal use of the route due to non-functional CCTV cameras.
The carjacking involved five unidentified individuals, and the incident underscores the vulnerability of Saketri village as an escape route. In 2017, the area experienced a spike in serious crimes connected to its proximity to Chandigarh and the Punjab borders. Criminals frequently use this route for a quick escape toward Punjab through Kansal and Nayagaon.
Various routes identified for criminal escapes include Saketri-Kaimbwala-Kansal-Nayagaon-Punjab and Saketri-Nayagaon-Baddi-Himachal. In response to residents’ concerns, the then DCP ordered a permanent check post at Saketri-Sukhna Lake point and a special check post under the Mansa Devi Complex police station by the end of 2017 to curb illegal activities in the region.Out of 60 locations equipped with CCTV cameras, 51 sites currently have non-operational cameras in Panchkula district. The Municipal Corporation, in October, approved a budget of Rs 1.25 crore for the repair of malfunctioning CCTV cameras. An additional Rs 50 lakh was allocated to replace stolen cameras and equipment. Police sources disclosed that out of the total 473 installed CCTV cameras, a staggering 411 are currently non-functional. This includes 393 box cameras, 57 Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) cameras, and 23 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras in the city area.