AI-powered number plate reading cameras to aid Nagaland Police

•    City Surveillance Implementation Project for Dimapur adopted
•    Resolves to set up Multi-Stakeholder Task Force

Dimapur, July 19 (MExN): Artificial Intelligence-powered number plate cameras are set to aid Nagaland Police, following the adoption of the City Surveillance Implementation Project for Dimapur and the passage of key resolutions including the establishment of a multi-stakeholder task force, legal safeguards, and a public-private implementation model.

The Business Association of Nagas (BAN), in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur and the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, organised a symposium on surveillance implementation under the theme ‘Securing Dimapur: A Joint Endeavour’ at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima on July 19. 

The event brought together government officials, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, legal experts, business leaders and media professionals to deliberate on the urgent need for a structured and integrated surveillance system in Dimapur, to be implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Delivering the welcome address and outlining the objectives of the symposium, BAN President L Mongkum Jamir stated that safety is the foundation of development and that surveillance is no longer merely a crime control tool but a critical enabler of urban governance. He noted that city-wide surveillance plays a crucial role in a broad range of public functions such as law enforcement, traffic management, power monitoring, town planning, smart city operations, environmental protection and public utility efficiency. 

As the commercial and social centre of Nagaland, Dimapur must lead the way, he said, and called for the immediate adoption of the surveillance project under the PPP model. He underscored advantages such as shared investment, operational efficiency, risk mitigation, local job creation, technological agility and scalability across the state.

Addressing the gathering, Director General of Police (DGP), Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, said that security is a collective responsibility and urged all NGOs, civil society organisations and business associations to actively participate in the successful implementation of the new surveillance initiative. 

He informed that the pilot project involves Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) Cameras equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI), which would enable the police to immediately identify vehicles and suspects. While noting that approximately 10,000 surveillance cameras would be required for Dimapur alone, he stated that no government could bear the full cost and that public contribution, especially in the procurement of cameras, was essential. 

Sharma added that the Police Department has already approached several departments for support and confirmed that the Chief Minister of Nagaland has extended full support for the initiative. Dialogues are underway with public sector undertakings, financial institutions and other stakeholders, and the responses so far have been positive, he said.

The DGP also stressed the importance of integrating existing CCTV systems in private premises into a unified city-wide control system. He called upon stakeholders to conceptualise and implement the project in a time-bound manner, and stated that businesses contributing to the project would also be safeguarding their own assets and interests. 

The DIG CID presented a live demonstration of the pilot project, explaining that the surveillance system will be integrated with the Transport Department to instantly access vehicle registration details, driving licence information and contact numbers.

Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr Tinojongshi Chang, NCS, underlined the urgency of deploying real-time monitoring tools to strengthen urban safety. Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie, IPS, highlighted the department’s achievements in crime detection and the potential to enhance these outcomes further through advanced surveillance systems. 

Akum Jamir, Convenor of BAN’s Grievance Cell, spoke about the growing security concerns faced by the business community and highlighted how a city-wide surveillance system would benefit both commercial establishments and the wider public. Representatives from DCCI and EDBA endorsed the initiative, describing it as a long-overdue step to improve safety and infrastructure, and extended full support to the joint effort led by the DGP and BAN.

Concluding the symposium, participants unanimously adopted a resolution to implement the City Surveillance Project in Dimapur, focusing on high-priority zones such as commercial areas, traffic intersections, public hubs, and vulnerable sites. The project will follow a Public-Private Partnership model, combining private sector expertise and investment with public sector oversight. A Multi-Stakeholder Task Force will be formed with representatives from key government departments, civil society, and industry to define technical standards, governance, and financing. The resolution also stressed legal and ethical safeguards, including data privacy, encryption, and audits, and will be submitted to the Nagaland Government for formal notification and prompt execution.