Neten Dorji

Mongar—With increasing population and number of vehicles in Mongar town, residents are pushing for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to improve safety and manage littering.

Currently, there are only a few privately installed cameras in individual shops, leaving major parts of the town without surveillance.

A local resident, Ugyen Wangchuk, expressed the need for CCTV cameras in the town. “While Mongar is not unsafe, we also need CCTV cameras like other towns. Dzongkhag towns should receive the same level of attention from the government.”

Another resident, Talman Mohara said that CCTV cameras could help address illegal garbage disposal. “It would assist in monitoring and curbing the problem of waste dumping,” he said.

He said that surveillance will also aid traffic police and road safety officials by providing crucial evidence for monitoring vehicle-related incidents and crime.

“Vehicle tires  of my car were flattened thrice by people. After that, I installed CCTV cameras, which helped me a lot,” Talman Mohara said.

Shopkeeper Sangay Choden said that since there are only a few cameras inside the shops, the town has experienced numerous cases of burglary, vandalism, and incidents involving vehicles being hit.

“Late night party goers create public disturbances.  Once my car mirror was broken,” she said.

Another resident, Namgay Dorji, said that CCTV cameras can help nab people who dump garbage in the night.

A health official said that littering and dumping waste will reduce if the surveillance cameras are installed in different locations. “The core town and outside the town will be clean if cameras are installed,” he said.

A civil servant said that CCTV has proven useful for law enforcement in other towns like Thimphu and Phuentsholing.

“Surveillance cameras help police monitor suspicious activities, control crime, and aid in criminal investigations,” he said. “The CCTV cameras have been crucial in arresting offenders, like in the case of the Dechencholing murder.”

However, some residents are skeptical about the effectiveness of CCTV cameras if enforcement is lacking. They said that without strict monitoring and fines for littering, CCTV alone may not resolve the issues.

Mongar Dzongdag Lungten Jamtsho said that the dzongkhag administration has plans to install CCTV cameras in strategic locations, which will help deter crime and reduce littering.

“If anyone is found littering, they will be dealt with in accordance with the Waste Management Act.”

The dzongkhag administration’s proposal for CCTV installation is included in the Small Development Programme.