Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Saturday said that an internet-enabled mobile phone is more dangerous than a lethal weapon like the AK-47. According to him, a single phone is enough to destroy the life of an individual and can ruin entire families.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of Tripura’s first cybercrime police station, established at AD Nagar in Agartala. “Criminals are entities that operate in the shadows. Access to the internet has amplified their strength. With the advent of technology, targeting innocent and gullible victims has become much easier. I don’t see any difference between an AK-47 and a mobile phone—it can lead to disastrous consequences and ruin families,” he said.
Describing the fight against cybercriminals as a “battle against shadows,” the Chief Minister stressed the need to enhance the technical capabilities of the police to counter new-age crimes.
“Many police personnel from Tripura have already been sent for cybercrime training. I’ve asked them to submit feedback reports on what they’ve learned. The police must develop skills on par with the criminals to ensure preventive measures can be effectively implemented,” he added.
Dr Saha urged citizens to immediately dial helpline numbers 112 and 1930 if they suspect cyber fraud or require urgent assistance.
Director General of Police Anurag, IPS, meanwhile, highlighted the achievements of Tripura Police in tackling cybercrime. “A total of Rs 3,400 crore has been recovered from accounts used by cybercriminals to defraud victims. In Tripura alone, we’ve recovered Rs 5 crore 46 lakh. Of that, Rs 32 lakh has already been returned to rightful owners, and the remainder will be disbursed after the judicial process is complete,” he said.
Explaining the modus operandi of cyber fraudsters, the DGP said, “If you suspect a fraudulent transaction, inform the police immediately. The money often circulates from one account to another and is eventually transferred abroad. As long as the funds are still within Indian accounts, they can be tracked and the transfer can be stopped.”
The DGP also informed the gathering that specially trained personnel have been posted at the new cybercrime police station to handle complex cases.
