West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday launched cyber help desks and women help desks across all 500 police stations in the state, describing cybercrime as an “epidemic” that is increasingly targeting vulnerable sections of society.
Speaking at an administrative programme at the state secretariat, Adhikari said cyber fraud had become a major threat, with elderly citizens and beneficiaries of government welfare schemes among the worst affected.
“Cybercrime has taken the shape of an epidemic. Even the marginalised people, who share their account numbers while filling up forms for various social schemes, are being targeted. These people have very little money in their accounts and depend on the financial assistance given by the government,” Adhikari said.
He added that senior citizens frequently raise complaints of cyber fraud during his Janata Darbar interactions.
State plans dedicated cybercrime oversight
The chief minister also launched all-women Durga Suraksha Squads in municipal towns and announced plans to appoint a senior IPS officer of the rank of Additional Director General (ADG) or Inspector General (IG) to oversee cyber help desks and cybercrime police stations across the state.
“We plan to appoint a senior IPS officer who will be in charge of all the cyber help desks and cybercrime police stations across the state and work in close coordination with the Union Home Ministry,” Adhikari said.
He stressed that women’s safety remained among the government’s highest priorities and reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women.
24×7 cyber response mechanism
State Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta said the cyber help desks would function round the clock and ensure rapid registration of complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and helpline number 1930.
“The cyber help desks will remain active 24×7 and will ensure speedy registration of cases with the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal through the helpline 1930. Time is very crucial in cracking cases of cybercrime,” Gupta said.
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He added that the women help desks would not only register FIRs related to crimes against women but would also provide assistance in cases of domestic violence, counselling support and emergency response.
Adhikari also directed the state police not to suppress crime statistics and to share all relevant data with the Union Home Ministry.
“The previous government didn’t share data with the Centre. We shouldn’t hide numbers. If we know what the disease is, we can come up with the treatment,” he said.
FAQs
Q1. What facilities has the West Bengal government launched?
West Bengal has launched cyber help desks and women help desks in all 500 police stations, along with all women Durga Suraksha Squads.
Q2. What kind of assistance will the women help desks provide?
The women help desks will help in registering FIRs, handling domestic violence cases, counseling and emergency assistance.
