Siliguri: The Siliguri Metropolitan Police have banned drones at weddings and other social events without prior permission in and around the city.
This is meant to prevent the misuse of the devices for surveillance or sabotage. The decision has been made in light of the strategic importance of the Chicken’s Neck Siliguri corridor that connects the entire Northeast with the rest of the country.
In and around Siliguri, helicams (remote-controlled mini copters) are often used for photography and videography at weddings and corporate events.
Due to the present security situation and Siliguri’s proximity to the international borders, drones cannot be flown at any event or location without prior clearance.
The state government had clearly instructed to enhance vigilance and tighten security across areas close to the international border. In North Bengal, 6 districts share borders with Bangladesh, while a few also share borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
There are vital installations in Siliguri. Images or footage captured by unregulated drones could unintentionally reveal details of such installations or infrastructure critical to national security. Even sabotage cannot be ruled out.
