bhubaneswarcctv cameras installed in most of the police stations across the state are nonfunctionalthis came to light after the odisha human rights commission sought cctv footage from two police stations while hearing a case on police highhandedness the state police headquarters should immediately take note of the nonfunctional cctv cameras in police stations the director general of police should issue a circularadvisory to the inspectorsincharge iics of all police stations to make the surveillance cameras operational said an ohrc order passed on november 11 in connection with an alleged illegal detention case the case has assumed significance in the wake of recent custodial deaths in puri and sundargarh districts police said the cctv cameras at baselisahi police station puri and biramitra pur police station sundargarh where the custodial deaths were reported on november 19 were out of orderfollowing allegations of corrupt and unethical practices being committed in police stations the state government had installed cctv cameras on the premises of all police stations including hazats lockup in phases the aim was to keep a watch on the activities of police personnel who are often criticised for harassing and misbehaving with accused or complainants the ohrc order stated any plea by police during hearing of our cases regarding the nonfunctional cctv cameras in police stations will be adversely viewed against the incharge of the concerned police station the state police headquarters said they were aware of the ohrcs order we have already drawn the attention of commissionerate police and sps of the districts to the ohrcs order the sps should take steps to repair or replace the defunct cctv cameras in their respective police stations the police stations that do not have cameras should immediately install them to ensure transparency in their functioning a senior police officer said