India Police takes the lead in using facial recognition via video to apprehend miscreants. Following the violent protest in Guwahati on 12th December 2019, the police have reportedly arrested 85 people. Also, about 2,000 are in ‘preventive custody’ by Assam Police.
They worked hand-in-hand with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to achieve this.
We had reported the use of this kind of technology by the Chinese authority earlier this month. However, according to ThePrint, it looks like it is the Indians who are first implementing it.
The police by the aid of videos are slowly identifying the violent protesters. According to the Director-General of Police (DGP) in Assam, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, they are not against protests. He, however, stated that those who instigate violence will not go scot-free.
A partial quote of his statement with the above-mentioned media outlet reads:
“We are not against any democratic and peaceful protest. However, the police will act strongly against anyone taking the law into their hands,
“Eighty-five individuals have been arrested by the police and 2,000 taken into detention following the violence. We have identified more trouble-makers through numerous videos and they will face the music too,”
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Reports confirm that two people died due to the protest and 25 more have been injured as well. The DGP also explained that the police had to resort to firing live rounds to quell the violence after showing ‘restraint’.
Citizens had been protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act that will help speed up citizenship for persecuted minorities entering India. This group includes people coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. It is notable that Muslims were left out.
The alleged leader of the violent protest in Assam, India, Akhil Gogoi was also part of those arrested.
This technology development by the India police force had elicited mixed reactions on Twitter. Some praised the innovation:
Wow! Delhi police is working with NIA now to use facial recognition tech and match it with AADHAR database to identify those responsible for the violence in Delhi. These thugs should face the most serious punishment per law.
— Rohit (@RohitBJP) December 15, 2019
While some also stated the ugly side of it:
This marriage of technology with police powers is draconian.
It may sound good today,,,
but governments everywhere use such times & emotions
to accumulate powers which are misused against citizens. https://t.co/VRkKk3YWS4— crk (@IndiTrades) December 15, 2019
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