Dhaka, Apr 24 (V7N) — The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a major surveillance expansion plan to install around 11,000 CCTV cameras across the capital in an effort to curb crime and improve monitoring.

Focus on Mohammadpur

Of the total installations, around 700 cameras will be placed in the crime-prone Mohammadpur area, which authorities say has seen increased incidents of:

  • Juvenile gang activity

  • Robberies

  • Drug-related crimes

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar made the announcement during an open house event and temporary police camp inauguration in Bashila, Mohammadpur.

Surveillance expansion plan

Officials said the initiative includes:

  • Citywide CCTV expansion

  • New police outposts in sensitive areas

  • Increased patrol and intelligence operations

  • Digital monitoring systems similar to Gulshan and Banani

Crime monitoring strategy

Police confirmed they already maintain lists of known offenders and will:

  • Track financial activities of suspects

  • Take legal action based on intelligence reports

  • Launch operations against juvenile gangs

  • Increase coordination among DB, RAB, and local units

Authorities also plan to:

  • Publish images of listed suspects

  • Introduce a mobile app for hotel, restaurant, and tenant information

  • Encourage public reporting with possible reward systems

Public concerns

Local residents, political activists, and civil society representatives have welcomed the surveillance plan but demanded stronger enforcement, especially in high-risk areas such as Rayer Bazar, Beribandh, and the Intellectuals’ Graveyard zone.

They said rising crime has damaged the area’s reputation and called for stricter and continuous police presence.

Outlook

Officials say the CCTV expansion is part of a broader effort to modernize urban policing and improve rapid response capabilities in Dhaka’s most vulnerable zones.

END/SMA/AJ