Who is to rein in the bigger cats?
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 01 , 2013 -

To state simply, any unlawful activity which involve computer, network or mobile devices could be defined as cyber crime or e-crime.

Cyber crime or e-crime could range from low-level phishing scams where crooks target credit card details to large-scale attacks on infrastructure carried out by hostile foreign powers, and it is fast emerging as a serious threat all over the globe today.

According to a recent analysis report of Frost & Sullivan, the California-based American firm which provides market research and analysis, growth strategy consulting, and corporate training services with offices in over 40 countries, cyber crime is now among the most important revenue sectors for global organized crime.

Consequently, Governments, police departments, intelligence units as well as general public have been compelled to react and initiatives to curb cyber threats are taking shape everywhere.

When it comes to threat from the world-wide-web, India has been no stranger. In fact, the latest ‘Internet Security Threat’ report released by Norton (Symantec) has stated that India has 42 million cyber crimes every year and 80 people are victimized under various cyber crimes every minute cross the country.

The report also says that India tops the table in cases of spam attacks across the globe, is number two in virus attacks and third in case of all kinds of threats.

In such a scenario, it is good to know that Manipur Police Department has opened cyber crime units in Imphal East and West Districts to deal with the problem.

Of course, Manipur is yet to encounter the types of cyber crimes witnessed in other major cities of the country.

Nonetheless, this initiative of the State Police Department shows the concern over a looming threat, which could spread its tentacles at any time, and rising cases of cyber crime targeting women is already there for all to see.

So, to start off and tighten the grip over such crimes, the State police started screening the mobile phones of young men for possible sleazy contents.

And now, along with opening up two units to deal with cyber crime complaints, the State police have made earnest effort to enforce Information Technology (Guidelines for Cyber Cafes) Rules 2011 at cyber cafes in Imphal West and Imphal East districts.

The cyber café owners have been given 10 days’ time to follow certain guidelines like compulsory registration with the state Science and Technology Department, keeping the photo copies of users’ ID papers, not allowing minors to visit the cafés without an adult, to maintain a log of users, to build open cubicles and to ensure users do not surf websites relating to pornography or circulate pornographic materials, etc.

All these are okay, but one question that has popped up in the mind of the people amidst all these frenzy activities of the State police is, who is going to rein in the bigger cats on the prowl in Khaki, whose mobile phones are filled with pornographic materials and have been found involved in various crimes against women, even to the extent of donning the role of directors?