A trade body has taken the initiative to install emergency call-boxes at jewellery shops in the Malda district.

The device, sources said, would be functioning as an alert device in case any attempt is made to loot such shops.

The initiative has been taken after a number of robberies were reported in jewellery shops in different locations of the district during the past one year.

On Wednesday evening, the Malda Merchant Chamber of Commerce organized a demonstration as to how the device would function at its office. Senior police officials of the district were also present at the event.

Jayanta Kundu, president of the trade body, said the device has got two parts. The call-box would be installed at the local police station with at least 10 blinking lights, each indicating a different shop. The shops which would avail the facility would be given a switch box which would have a wireless connection with the device.

“Each switch-box would be fitted with a chip. Once a jeweller senses any problem, he would press the switch and immediately an alarm would be sounded at the police station, identifying the shop. The police can take immediate steps then,” said Kundu.

For installation and service, a jeweller has to pay ₹22,000. Later, one has to pay ₹1,500 per year for service, said sources.

Jewellers welcomed the initiative. Ujjwal Sarkar, the Malda district secretary of Bangiya Swarna Shilpi o Swarna Byabsayee Samity, said there are around 700 giant jewellery shops across the district.

“Almost all of us are eager to avail the service. We believe that the emergency call-box service would make us feel more secure,” said Sarkar.

Sources said some other establishments also expressed interest in the device to prevent crimes.