Security: Residents associations raise doubts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A fresh row has surfaced over the implementation of the Neighbourhood Security Scheme of the City Police as several residents’ associations have raised doubts over the ‘In An Emergency’ service included in the scheme.The service has been developed by a Technopark-based private software firm, Eram Scientific Solutions, which was later adopted by the City Police to be incorporated in the scheme.The service offers to provide a mobile phone and web-based emergency alert system in which specially-trained security personnel attend to the emergency calls of the people.The service also offers to provide other technology-based security services like surveillance cameras for residential areas and also routine medical check-ups for the families who register with the service.The service had the support of Federation of Residents’ Associations Thiruvananthapuram (FRAT), an apex body of residents’ associations in the capital city.  However, a section  of the residents’ associations in the city has cried foul over the introduction of the service. Office-bearers of the Council of Residents’ Associations, an apex body of residents’ associations in Sasthamangalam region, alleged that it was laxity on the part of the police that allows private companies to take over the responsibility of ensuring the security of the people."It is the responsibility of the police to ensure our security. They  cannot evade the responsibility by handing it over to private companies,’’ said joint secretary of the Council of Residents’ Associations, Madhavan Pillai."The City Police Commissioner has forwarded a letter to all residents’  associations recommending the residents to register with the service with a registration fee of Rs 520 and a monthly fee of Rs 100. How can the Commissioner endorse a private sector initiative while being a part of the State Government,’’ asked Madhavan Pillai.He also alleged that the residents’ associations were not consulted before deciding to implement the scheme.The questions raised by the complainants are many; like whether the people will be forced to comply with the changing demands of the private firm that heads the scheme, does the City Police have the concurrence of the State Government in the implementation of the scheme, the honesty of the security personnel recruited by the company and whether the intervention of the security personnel in disputes had any legal validity.