Tripura has suffered financial losses of more than Rs 83 crore due to cyber fraud over the past four years, prompting the state government and police to strengthen cybersecurity measures and intensify public awareness initiatives.

The figures were revealed during a cybersecurity workshop jointly organized by the Department of Information Technology, Government of Tripura, in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The workshop was inaugurated by Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha. Director General of Police Anurag, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R. K. Samal, Director of Information Technology Jeya Ragul Geshan B, senior government officials, NeGD representatives, cybersecurity experts, and members of the New Generation Innovation Network also attended the event.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary said that with the rapid expansion of digital governance, the volume of sensitive government and citizen data being stored and processed has increased significantly. He stressed that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue but a key administrative priority, calling for robust security infrastructure, continuous monitoring, and the development of skilled human resources to safeguard critical digital assets.

The workshop highlighted Tripura's achievements under the Digital India initiative, including becoming the first state in the country to implement a completely paperless e-Office system down to the Gram Panchayat level. Officials also showcased the modernization of the Tripura State Data Centre, expansion of the Tripura Security Operations Centre network, rollout of BharatNet services in rural areas, and implementation of various digital public service projects.

Director of Information Technology Jeya Ragul Geshan B said the state's cybersecurity framework has been strengthened through the implementation of the Tripura Cyber Security Policy 2025. He noted that continuous monitoring of government digital infrastructure, modernization of legacy systems, risk assessment, secure-by-design practices, zero-trust architecture, and enhanced data protection remain key priorities.

The Director General of Police stated that cyber fraud has caused losses exceeding Rs 83 crore in the state over the past four years. However, timely intervention by law enforcement agencies enabled authorities to freeze approximately Rs 15.43 crore, of which Rs 1.23 crore has already been returned to victims. He urged citizens to report cyber fraud immediately, noting that prompt complaints significantly improve the chances of recovering lost funds.

The DGP also observed that technological advancements have transformed the nature of crime investigations. Digital evidence such as servers, SIM cards, hacked accounts, and stolen identities has increasingly replaced conventional physical evidence. He warned that phishing, online financial fraud, data theft, and sophisticated cyberattacks pose growing threats to individuals, businesses, and government institutions.