PANAJI
Goa Police on Monday claimed to have put in place a series of measures to strengthen its cyber crime management capabilities and enhance public awareness about cyber safety. Besides increasing the manpower at the Cyber Crime Cell from 26 personnel to 47, the unit has also posted an officer exclusively in the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (14C) to fast-track and coordinate with related agencies over complaints.
Director General of Police Alok Kumar revealed that to improve expertise, they organized a two-day training programme for 800 police personnel in collaboration with the I4C besides conducting in-house orientation programs for Police Inspectors and cyber teams from all police stations.
“A dedicated Police Sub-Inspector has been stationed at the I4C for fast-tracking and coordinating with respect to complaints reported in Goa,” he stated.
The State government issued a notification under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, empowering the Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) to take down illegal online content. As such maximum out of 78 escort websites have been blocked following requests to the Department of Telecommunications.
Besides the capacity-building efforts, the department also launched the “Cyber Surakshit Goem” campaign to raise awareness among citizens. This initiative has reached approximately 1.5 lakh people through outreach activities.
“Under this, A heightened focus on public awareness under campaign mode through religious festivals, local television channels, street plays, social media and has been emphasized, with special focus on prompt reporting at 1930 helpline,” the Cyber Crime said.
Goa Police has also collaborated with the Directorate of Education to train over 450 school computer teachers, who will educate school students and parents about cyber safety. “A total of 167 college student volunteers have been identified to strengthen our awareness efforts. They will be further trained and mobilized during public gatherings. A special session conducted for over 120 Village Sarpanches to take cyber awareness at grassroot level besides other initiatives,” it said.
DGP Kumar reiterated that Goa ranks 5th in the country in terms of the percentage of the lien amount involved in total financial fraud reported last month. With 30.46 per cent, Goa trails only Lakshadweep (35%), Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Daman & Diu & Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
