TN police mandates body cameras for police at Kerala-TN checkposts amid tourist harassment complaints

Wayanad: In a bid to prevent complaints against policemen on duty at interstate checkposts, the Tamil Nadu police have made it compulsory for officers on duty at 10 interstate checkposts to wear body-worn cameras. The measure aims to reduce corruption and prevent the torture of tourists.

The selected checkposts include Thalur, Vaduvanchal, Pattavayal, bordering Wayanad, and Nadukani checkpost bordering Malappuram.

There were many complaints against policemen for demanding bribes from tourists for frivolous reasons. There were also multiple incidents where tourists entered into a verbal duel, and had to either pay the bribe or cut the journey short.

The move would be a breather for thousands of tourists travelling to Ooty from the northern districts of Kerala. According to Nilgiri District administration, the highest number of tourists from Kerala to Ooty is through the Nadukani checkpost, which is used by tourists from Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode.

According to Aliyar Malikekkal, President of the Tamil Nadu Merchants' Association Pandalur taluk unit, policemen on duty at the checkpost used to harass tourists for bribes. Aliyar told Onmanorama that there were many incidents in the past where tourists submitted complaints to higher officials or posted visuals of policemen accepting bribes on social media. He pointed out that any violation - more passengers than the allotted numbers, plastic water bottles found during vehicle checks, irregularities in vehicle documents - is a reason for the police to demand bribes. "I hope with the move the tourists will have a better experience while crossing into the district from the plains", he added.