Surat (Gujarat), July 17 (ANI): In the wake of the bomb blasts in Mumbai's Zhaveri Bazar or diamond market, diamond traders of Surat are taking steps to beef up security at one of the world's biggest diamond-polishing centres.
The near-simultaneous bomb blasts, which killed 19 people and wounded more than 131, were centred mainly in south Mumbai's bustling jewellery market, which focuses on diamond and precious metals.
Two of the three explosions in Mumbai occurred in the city's bustling jewellery trading centres.
Diamond traders in Surat decided to place highly sensitive cameras at various corners of the two-diamond markets- Mahidharpura and Mini Bazaar.
The traders have decided to install high-end closed-circuit television (CCTV) that would revolve and would video graph the complete area. It would also be able to zoom into people's faces.
"We anyway do record video footage of internal areas for security reasons. But now, its been decided that along with internal cameras, cameras would be installed at various corners outside on the streets so that the security of the market and people is strengthened and therefore we have decided on putting high sensitive cameras outside," said diamond trader Harsh Saghvi.
Throwing light on the initiatives taken by the diamond traders regarding strengthening the security, Surat Diamond Association's President, Dinesh Navdiya said that the traders met Surat Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana and discussed with him on installation of at least 500 CCTV cameras.
Navdiya also said other aspects of security such as traffic, parking and others was also discussed.
"The Surat diamond Association is worried over the security, and therefore we met the police commissioner and made a round off of the two diamond markets in Surat- Mahidharpura and Mini Bazaar. We also discussed about placing the CCTV cameras in the markets with the commissioner and he responded positively to our suggestion. The Commissioner also assured us that the problems regarding the traffic, parking and other such issues would also be looked into. We have thought of placing 500 CCTV cameras. In Mini Bazaar, we have already placed a camera which is video graphing the area," said Navdiya.
Navdiya said the diamond traders demanded for the creation of a special task force for the diamond markets in Surat since it has been the prime target in Mumbai blasts.
The militants had earlier targeted Surat when the police had defused several unexploded bombs on July 29, 2008
India is the world leader in diamond cutting and polishing and accounts for the polishing of about nine in every ten diamonds, mostly tiny, cheaper stones less than a carat.
In 2006-2007, India had imported diamonds worth 8.8 billion U.S. dollars of rough diamonds and exported 10.9 billion U.S. dollars of polished gems, much of which is sent to Hong Kong and the United States to be set in jewellery.
India's share of diamond polishing by value is roughly 57 percent of the global diamond industry.
No one has claimed the responsibility for the Mumbai blasts.
All major cities across the country have been placed on high alert with security measures being beefed up at vital institutions and installations. (ANI)
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