TURA: In an era of digitalisation that is fast sweeping Garo Hills, cyber crimes like hacking, credit card fraud, identity theft, sextortion and pornography.
To check the rising cases of cyber crime and bring the criminals to book, Meghalaya police have opened its first ever Cyber Crime Investigation Centre (CCIC) for Garo Hills in Tura on Monday morning.
Meghalaya Home Minister James K Sangma, in the presence of Director General of Police SB 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 onthe premises of the district superintendent of police (SP).
Alongside the inauguration of the cyber crime centre, the home minister also opened the first and only online foreigners’ registration office in 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-edged sword. It can help us, if used properly, or cut us when misused. Crimes against women and children are a major concern for everyone and the internet has become a haven for paedophiles and child molesters,” said James.
The minister said the state government is keen to incorporate technology in controlling crime and will push for a similar cyber crime investigation centres 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 10 times before doing so because they will be monitored by police,” a confident home minister asserted.
Highlighting the importance of the establishment of online foreigners’ registration office in Tura, the home minister said 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 Singh’s statement on curbing the menace of poaching, Agatha said wildlife poaching was becoming a worrying factor in Garo Hills and the launch of the district police website was a positive move.
Earlier, the DGP said 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.
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 MG Raghavendra Kumar, 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.
