By Mohammed Siddique, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad : The historic Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad, which had witnessed a terrorist attack in May last year killing 9 worshippers has now finally got a state of the art surveillance system involving a network of close circuit cameras. The system involving 9 close circuit cameras and 14 static cameras covering almost every area of the mosque, was inaugurated by the minister for minority welfare Mohammed Ali Shabbir. The system including a control room with two screens connected to the cameras, has cost Rs 36 lakh. The other measures to make the security of the mosque fool proof include installation of 6 door frame metal detectors, 6 hand held metal detectors, a sound proof generator and deployment of 25 home guards for round the clock security.
While 11 cameras have been installed in side the mosque, the remaining cameras have been installed on the main gates, atop two minarets and backside of the mosque.
The process of installing the security cameras were on for a long time as the mosque and area outside had seen outbreak of violence several times on different occasions. The police officials were also insisting that having such a system will ensure effective security and help in nabbing the culprits in case of any trouble. The video record of every month will be preserved on permanent basis.
Minister assured that the government will take all the necessary steps to renovate and improve the conditions in the mosque ahead of coming month of Ramadan. While on temporary basis tents will be erected in its sprawling compound, the government was considering a proposal to install automatic umbrellas on the lines of Prophet’s Mosque in Madina on permanent basis to protect the worshippers from sun and rain.
The member of Parliament from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi demanded that new carpets should be laid in the mosque before Ramadan which the minister accepted. He also wanted that employees of Mecca Masjid, Shahi Masjid and Dairatul Maarif should be regularized.