Chhattisgarh: Door-to-door campaign to contain cybercrime

In 2019, 237 cases of cybercrime were registered. The cases have increased to 300 until August this year

Published on: Sep 12, 2020, 16:27:05 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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The Chhattisgarh police plan a statewide door-to-door campaign with the help of Cyber Dosts (friends), who will be trained at block and panchayat-levels to tackle cybercrimes. Training will be imparted first to personnel at every police station, who will then engage mostly students and local influencers. The campaign is likely to be launched next week.

The Chhattisgarh police have recently opened five cyber police stations. Photo for representational purpose only. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“We will try to develop a chain of experts who will be called as Cyber Dosts across the state. This year, we will focus on colleges, schools, universities, and people at the block level. Selected people will be trained and then they will create awareness among the people around them. Next year we will try to reach the panchayats levels. The idea is to make cyber dosts in every locality and reduce cyber-related crimes which are mostly happening because of ignorance,” said Chhattisgarh police’s in charge of planning, RK Vij.

Also Read: Cyber police stations to be set up in each range headquarters of Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh police have recently opened five cyber police stations.

Vij said in each district, police teams will cover five schools and two colleges under their campaign. “Due to [Covid-19] lockdown, there has been an increase in internet activity and this is the reason why cybercrime has also increased. The people affected are from both rural and urban areas because the smartphones have also reached the remote parts of the state.”

In 2019, 237 cases of cybercrime were registered. The cases have increased to 300 until August this year.

Under the campaign, a pamphlet and poster drive will also be launched in every district. Police are also planning to make short videos for circulation to create awareness among the people.

“Cybercriminals have been... fraudulently asking bank account holders to reveal their credit/debit cards details, alluring online users to...provide bank details to withdraw award/lottery money, blocking Adhaar cards etc. Unfortunately, people fall into their trap despite various warning...,” Vij said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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