Palamu police have begun using drones to identify flouters of lock down. Its trial was done most successfully on Tuesday itself. Sources said SP Palamu Ajay Linda took all the initiatives in this regard.

At a maximum height of 400 feet or 121 meters AGL (above ground level) drone is allowed to fly by aviation authorities in order to avoid a possible conflict with manned air craft, the chance of which here at this time is not around at all.

The SP said, “We have started using drone to deter people from flouting the lock down. There are habitual or better say congenital flouters of lock down. We believe our eyes on them from a height will make them not to breach lock down.”

Linda said police discovered that a few well meaning youths here have drone which they have given us literally without any fee for flying except for wages of its operator on the ground.

Many people come out with different excuses. A flouter said, “ My car is parked for over 16 days. Its battery will get discharged. I take out it in the open street now. It is a great scene not to have any vehicle on the road.”

“My sister in law is sick. I am to go to her house as in that house is my daughter to inquire about the welfare. Where is the flouting of my lock down?” asked an elderly man here.

Linda, when asked if drone will succeed in keeping rigid violators indoors said, “Our police are making all efforts to keep people indoors but there are many who just not understand it.”

Linda said, “I have made sadar SDPO Sandip Kumar Gupta to monitor drone flying. It will be flown at peak hours when breaching is done more in the name of buying veggies, medicines, milk etc.”

Gupta said, “Once we get information that there is gathering at some locality we rush our drone there. Its hovering has a great psychological impact. We want to use this impact.”

Gupta said, “ The remaining days before April 14 will be most carefully watched and monitored by the police.”