Puri police launched a special night-time checking operation near the Srimandir on Thursday to enhance security for devotees and tourists. As part of the drive, officers used facial recognition technology and fingerprint verification to check individuals whose movements appeared suspicious in the temple vicinity. According to sources, the operation focused on detecting people with criminal backgrounds and keeping track of suspected anti-social elements in the area. According to police, the technology could help trace individuals from other cities or states who might come to Puri with the intent of committing offences. Technology Used To Identify Suspects Puri SP Prateek Singh said the facial recognition system and fingerprint verification allow police to check individuals’ details against the national criminal database and ascertain whether they have criminal antecedents. During the drive, police screened people who were staying at particular spots for prolonged periods or were found roaming suspiciously near shops, markets, crowded areas and other public places around the Srimandir. Their details were verified as part of the preventive exercise. Focus On Preventive Policing Police said that the operation was not restricted to identifying criminals but also focused on keeping a close watch on the movement of anti-social elements and preventing offences before they occur. Also Read: Queue darshan system to be introduced in Puri Srimandir within 3-4 months Technology-driven and physical checking, along with other preventive measures, would continue around the temple and other sensitive and crowded areas of Puri in the coming days. Police intensified measures to curb theft, snatching and pickpocketing by combining advanced technology with human resources to maintain law and order.