Mouse gives information to security agencies

[dwarakesh]

Security agencies will soon be able to examine the crime scene across the country at the click of a mouse with an upgraded police centralised database, also known as POLNET.

A senior Home Ministry official said, "POLNET will soon be able to carry the footage or visuals of the crime scene. This was an important feature which is being considered to be included in the network to enhance its utility."

He also revealed the possibility of adopting broadband facilities and a larger bandwidth which will help in sending more information via the POLNET. Stations across the country will feed and upload video and still footage of the crime spot on POLNET which will then be transmitted to the Central server in Delhi and will be accessible to authorised experts.

Such analysis would help in understanding the modus operandi of criminals and terrorists and prepare an action plan to tackle the same. The new edition of POLNET, which is an integrating network of satellite and terrestrial communication for police and paramilitary organisations, will have higher bandwidth to enable sending heavy computer files.

Presently, the POLNET helps in sending messages, e-mails, and to conduct video conferences through VSAT between various security agencies and officials. The official added that even during recent blasts that occurred across the country, POLNET was functioning fine while other modes of communication like cell phones flunked for some time.

Though POLNET is secured from most of the virus attacks, hacking and unscrupulous intrusions, the cipher wing handling security aspect of the project is working to secure the communication lines further. Already connecting all police stations at the district headquarter level, POLNET will soon connect the village police chowkis (lock up jails), and interior and border posts of different paramilitary forces.

The wireless connectivity for police organisations in the country works with the help of sophisticated microprocessor based high speed data transmission systems. The facility functions under the Directorate of Coordination Police Wireless (DCPW) which acts as the nodal coordination agency for all police telecommunication matters of the country.