TURA: In an era of digitalization that is fast sweeping Garo Hills and where mobile phones and internet have become the latest tools in the hands of young and old alike, so too is the rise in cybercrimes, particularly hacking, credit card fraud, identity theft, sextortion and pornography.
To check the rising cases of cybercrime and bring the criminals to book, Meghalaya police have opened its first ever Cyber Crime Investigation Centre (CCIC) for Garo Hills at Tura on Monday morning.
Meghalaya Home Minister James Pangsang K Sangma, in the presence of Director General of Police (DGP) Dr S B Singh, Government chief whip and South Tura legislator Agatha K Sangma and Adviser to the Chief Minister and North Tura MLA Thomas A Sangma, inaugurated the investigation centre in the premises of the district superintendent of police (SP).
Alongside the inauguration of the cybercrime centre, the home minister, simultaneously, also opened the first and only Online Foreigner’s Registration Office in the Garo Hills and launched the West Garo Hills District Police website.
The Cyber Crime Investigation Centre will probe all security threats related to the internet, particularly hacking, e-commerce and investment frauds, web hijacking, pornography, child grooming, cyber stalking, sale of illegal items, among others.
“Although our world is driven by technology in every aspect, yet, it can also be a double edge sword. It can help us, if used properly, or cut us when misused. Crimes against women and children is a major concern for everyone and the internet has become a haven for pedophiles and child molesters,” said home minister James Sangma.
He said that the state government is keen to incorporate technology in controlling crime and will be pushing for the setting up of similar Cyber Crime Investigation centers in all the districts of Meghalaya.
“Launching of three Information Technology initiatives is a significant development for Garo Hills and Meghalaya. And with the establishment of the CCIC, criminals in Garo Hills who try and prey on innocents through the internet will have to think ten times before doing so because they will be monitored by police,” a confident home minister asserted.
Highlighting the importance of the establishment of Online Foreigner’s registration Office in Tura, the home minister said that it would simplify and speed up the visa and other paper works for foreign tourists.
“Our government is pushing for the growth of tourism in the state, including Garo Hills. The setting up of the online registration office for foreigners will go a long way in providing comfort to tourists when it comes to processing of their travel documents,” said James K Sangma.
Government chief whip and South Tura MLA Agatha K Sangma also expressed concern over the misuse of technology, particularly the internet.
“We live in a world where children spend maximum time surfing the internet. It must be monitored and it must be safe,” said Agatha adding that cooperation between the youth and the church was important to help create awareness on the use of the internet.
Echoing Meghalaya DGP S B Singh’s statement on curbing the menace of poaching, Agatha Sangma said wildlife poaching was becoming a worrying factor in the Garo Hills and the launch of the district police website was a positive move.
Earlier, Meghalaya’s top cop DGP S B Singh, IPS, said that with militancy literally wiped out in Garo Hills the state police can now focus on other crimes.
“Work is needed on a war footing to tackle crimes against women and children and the support of all sections of society is of utmost importance for success of police in combating crime,” said Dr Singh and suggested regular updates with correct information being put up in the police website for the benefit of the public.
The police chief also announced that the state force would play an active role in enforcing the Wildlife Act to contain the menace of poaching which has been increasing in Garo Hills ever since militancy began to decline.
West Garo Hills district Superintendent of Police, Dr MG Raghavendra Kumar, IPS, in his welcome statement informed that there would be regular update of the website with details including police officers and their phone numbers for the public to air their grievances.
“In the near future we shall start the online registration of complaints as well,” said Dr Kumar.