File image for representation. , Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Odisha Police has intensified its investigation to trace a pigeon which has a camera-like object attached to its leg. The pigeon was recently caught by fishermen off the Odisha coast.
“The pigeon was caught by the crew members of a fishing boat while they were fishing around 70 km from Paradip coast and 15 km from Konark coast. The fishing boat had left Paradip port on March 4 and the bird was caught on March 6,” said Additional Superintendent of Police Nimai Charan Sethi.
The pigeon was found sitting on Prakash Behera’s boat while deep sea fishing. When the fishermen caught hold of it out of curiosity, the bird did not attempt to fly.
“They came in front of a lens-like camera fitted in the left leg, while a chip-like material was affixed to the right leg. When they got suspicious about the pigeon, they handed over the bird to the Marine Police Station in Paradip,” Mr Sethi said.
“We have sent the camera-like device and the chip on the feet of the pigeon for forensic examination. The police also got the bird’s health checked by a veterinarian. Pigeon’s health condition is fine. We will also take the help of cyber experts regarding camera and chip. There is some pattern found on the pigeon’s wing that experts will understand.
A retired police officer said that in the age of state-of-the-art technologies and drone systems available for surveillance, it is surprising that pigeons are used for scouting, adding that the fact that the bird is used will be known. Whether done for espionage or any other purpose. Test.
Odisha Police is known for a unique ‘Carrier Pigeon Service’ based in Cuttack. The Pigeon Courier Service was established in 1946, when World War II ended. The service ran for over 60 years before being discontinued by the state government in March 2008. However, trained pigeons were kept for ceremonial purposes in Cuttack.
The Odisha police once claimed to have a 1,500-strong Belgian homer pigeon, which for their domesticating skills was best suited to act as messengers. These were very useful for sending messages during natural calamities like floods and cyclones.