Month after vandalism, CCTV cameras’ still defunct
A month after the vandalisation of the Dr BR Ambedkar statue at Nangal village in Phillaur, the Nagar Council-installed CCTV camera at the site remains non-functional.
Right beside the brand new statue of Dr Ambedkar stands a tall pole with two CCTV cameras — tilted, inoperative and leaning against a building. The setup has remained in this condition since March 31, when miscreants defaced the statue with graffiti and pro-Khalistan slogans.
This site is just one among many across Phillaur where CCTV cameras installed by the Nagar Council lie defunct, underscoring what locals describe as administrative apathy towards civic safety.
Of the 61 cameras installed by the Nagar Council at chowks, intersections and along the highway approximately 2.5 years ago — at a cost of Rs 25–26 lakh — only 15 to 20 are currently functional, leaving more than half non-operational.
Alarmed by the March 31 incident, the Nangal village panchayat took matters into its own hands, installing two private CCTV DVR cameras near the Ambedkar statue and reinforcing it with a sturdier fiberglass version.
Key spots across Phillaur where cameras are reportedly non-functional include Nurmahal Road, Nangal Road, Shri Guru Ravidass Gate and the Shardha Ram Phillauri statue — among over 20 identified locations.
Following the vandalism, district police had announced increased surveillance at 56 Ambedkar statues and memorials in Jalandhar and surrounding areas. In Nangal, the sarpanch and residents even held theekri pehras (night watches) to prevent further incidents.
Sarpanch of Nangal village, Khushi Ram, said over 20 CCTV cameras currently installed in the village are all privately arranged. “For two months now, the Nagar Council-installed camera has been non-functional. After the March 31 incident, the panchayat installed two of its own cameras and a stronger statue of Babasaheb. Even the Ambedkar statue at the main chowk only has CCTV coverage from a nearby hotel. So the question remains — is the onus only on residents, rather than the administration, to ensure their safety?” he asked.
He added, “When two tippers were stolen recently on Nangal Road, police approached private shopkeepers for CCTV footage. Shop owners, troubled by repeated interference, are now angling cameras only at their own shutters.”
Activist Karnail Phillaur echoed the concerns: “Phillaur is a sensitive area, prone to crime, and yet cameras at key points have been out for months. We expected special arrangements, but even basic surveillance is missing.”
Mohinder Ram, President of Phillaur Nagar Council, said, “We had 61 cameras installed more than two years ago. Many were damaged by vandals — before an incident, they often steal wires or sabotage the equipment. Though Nangal is a panchayat, we installed CCTV cameras there as well, but miscreants removed the wiring. An assessment has now been completed and all non-functional cameras will be replaced within 15 days.”
SSP Rural Jalandhar, Harvinder Singh Virk, stated, “The module responsible for the vandalism has been busted and strict surveillance is now in place across sensitive areas. Where police cameras are unavailable, CCTVs are installed with panchayat support. There is no lack of police patrol or surveillance.”
Punjab