File picture for illustration.
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Odisha police have intensified their probe into the detection of a pigeon having camera- like object fitted to its leg. The pigeon was caught by fishermen off the Odisha coast not too long ago.
“The pigeon was caught by crew members of a fishing boat while they were fishing about 70 km from Paradip coast and 15 km from Konark Coast. The fishing boat had left Paradip harbour on March 4 and the bird was caught on March 6,” mentioned Additional Superintendent of Police Nimai Charan Sethi.
The pigeon was discovered perching on the boat of Prakash Behera whereas they have been fishing in deep sea. The fowl didn’t try to fly away when the fishermen caught it out of curiosity.
“They came across a camera like lens fitted to left leg while there was chip like material affixed to right leg. When they got suspicious about pigeon, they handed over the bird to Marine Police Station, Paradip,” mentioned Mr. Sethi.
“We have sent the camera-like device and chip fitted to legs of the pigeon for forensic test. The police also got the health of the bird checked by a veterinarian. The health condition of pigeon is sound. We will also seek help of cyber expert regarding camera and chip,” mentioned the ASP. There was some sample discovered on feather of the pigeon which might be deciphered by specialists.
In the period of cutting-age applied sciences and drone system obtainable for surveillance, it’s stunning that pigeon is used for scouting, a retired police official mentioned, including that the actual fact could be recognized if the fowl was used for spying or every other functions after the probe.
Odisha police are recognized to have a singular ‘Carrier Pigeon Service’ based mostly in Cuttack. The pigeon messenger service was arrange means again in 1946, when World War II had simply ended. The service had run over 60 years earlier than being discontinued by State authorities in March 2008. However, skilled pigeons have been maintained for ceremonial functions in Cuttack.
Odisha police had as soon as boasted of having 1,500-strong Belgian Homer pigeons, greatest suited to act as messengers for his or her homing expertise. They have been very helpful for sending messages throughout pure disasters similar to floods and cyclones.
