Assam civic body puts public urinators on giant screen

Tinsukia, Jul 14 (PTI) After mirrors failed to deter people from urinating in public places, a civic body in Assam has begun displaying videos of offenders on a giant LED screen. The Tinsukia Municipal Board said it adopted the measure following repeated complaints of people urinating in the open at busy locations despite awareness campaigns and public appeals. "The board has been struggling with the problem of people urinating in the open despite repeated awareness campaigns and public appeals," Municipal Executive Officer Nayan Jyoti Nath told PTI on Tuesday. He said complaints were frequently received from residents about public urination along AT Road, Lal Bunglow Road, near schools and other public places. About a month ago, the municipal board had installed large mirrors at locations where such complaints were common. "The idea was that people would feel self-conscious on seeing their own reflection and refrain from the act. However, the experiment failed to produce the desired results, forcing the board to adopt stricter measures," Nath said. Following the failure of the mirror initiative, municipal teams began recording videos and photographing people found urinating in public places, he said. The footage is being used both as evidence for enforcement and as part of an awareness campaign by displaying it on the LED screen outside its office, he added. Nath said the objective of the campaign is not merely to penalise offenders but to bring about a lasting change in public behaviour and promote cleanliness across the town. "Habitual offenders are also being fined under the applicable municipal regulations. An adequate number of public toilets are available within the municipal limits," he said, urging people to use those. The campaign has sparked mixed reactions among residents. While many appreciated the municipality's innovative approach, saying the fear of public embarrassment could prove a stronger deterrent than monetary penalties, others expressed concern that repeatedly displaying such footage could itself be uncomfortable for passers-by, particularly women and children. PTI SSG COR SSG SOM