Open cyber crime coordination cell: MHA to States
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 24 2018: The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all States and Union Territories to open cyber crime coordination cells headed by a senior police officer not below the rank of ADGP or IGP.

The MHA sent an advisory to the State Government to appoint a senior police officer not below the rank of ADGP or IGP as the State cyber crime coordinator, informed a source.

Even though computers, smart phones and internet have become basic necessities all over the country including Manipur, majority of the people have little or limited awareness about cyber crimes and the potential of misusing these facilities.

As such, many people have been victimised by cyber crimes.

The MHA advisory also asked the State to give due awareness to all the people about cyber crimes and its negative impacts in the society.

Cyber crime coordination cells opened in different States would coordinate with each other under IT Act 2000 and also with all cyber crime units and police stations within their respective States in order to check cyber crimes across the country.

The Home Ministry's advisory also mentioned about opening district cyber crime cells based on necessity.

District cyber crime unit would be headed by DSPs or Additional SPs and they would be assisted by Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors.

Moreover, three experts who have thorough knowledge about information technology, mobile telephony, digital forensics and cyber law should be inducted as officials of district cyber crime cells which would function under the guidance of the State cyber crime coordination cell.

Stating that cyber crimes are often not restricted within a geographical boundary, the Home Ministry asked the State Governments to foster inter-State and international coordination.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has released Rs 82.8 crore for opening cyber forensic training labs cum training centres in all the States and Union Territories under CCPWC scheme.

According to the Ministry's directive, State cyber crime coordination cell should have social media monitoring cell.

To facilitate online reporting of cyber crimes, the Ministry recently opened a portal cyberpolice.gov.in.

The portal is also connected with crime and criminal tracking network, said the source.

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