Tripura records 123 cybercrime cases, 74 held, district level Cybercrime Cells established

In a significant step towards combating cybercrime, Tripura has reinforced its cybercrime response mechanisms by establishing dedicated units and deploying trained personnel, as revealed during the second day of the Tripura Legislative Assembly session on Monday.

The State Home Department, in a written response to a query by Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, reported that 123 cybercrime cases have been registered over the past three years, leading to the arrest of 74 individuals. Additionally, the police have taken up nine cases suo motu, highlighting proactive law enforcement efforts.

To address the growing cyber threats, the State Home Department had set up a Cybercrime Unit under the State Police Crime Branch through a notification issued on November 12, 2018. The unit plays a crucial role in investigating complex and sensitive cybercrime cases, which are forwarded from various police stations across the state with approval from the Director General of Police.

The Cybercrime Cell, in collaboration with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, has been instrumental in unfreezing bank accounts, recovering fraudulent transactions, removing objectionable content from social media, and facilitating cybercrime complaint registrations. Law enforcement agencies coordinate with nodal officers of service providers to track and apprehend cyber offenders.

Additionally, to enhance public awareness, the state has implemented various initiatives, including online campaigns and social media outreach programs. At the district level, Cybercrime Cells have been established alongside the dedicated Cybercrime Unit. To strengthen the fight against cybercrime, 151 officers and 113 police personnel have undergone specialized training to effectively handle cyber-related offenses.