Dial ‘1930’ to curb cyber crime; Odisha govt issues special helpline number

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government issued a special helpline number ‘1930’ today to curb cyber crime in the State, which is meant for commoners and victims. The drive in this regard will be intensified further in the days ahead, said Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra.

Such a drastic step was taken in view of rising cases of cyber crime pertaining to finance and sex abuse on women and children. Awareness campaigns will be organised for the purpose. Any unlawful act where a computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the commission of a crime must be checked, Mahapatra insisted.

Especially, elderly persons, students, Asha and Anganwadi workers and self-help groups (SHGs) are to be included in the drive against cyber crime. Thirty-four awareness-creating vehicles named ‘Sachetanata Rath’ will be pressed into service in the State equipped with audio and visual materials.

People will be made aware to verify the authenticity before carrying out a financial transaction, avoid friendships with unknown persons and not to click on links, SMSs and Apps received from suspicious sources. Symposiums and seminars will be conducted on a regular basis across the State.

Quiz, debates and essay competitions are to be organised at the school level. Odisha is the first State in the country in launching anti-cybercrime campaigns, the Chief Secretary added.

It is pertinent to mention, 52,975 cyber crime cases were registered in the country in 2021, which was 5.9 per cent more in number as compared to the cases registered in the previous year.

Similarly, 1485 cyber crime cases were registered in Odisha in 2019, 1931 cases in 2020 and 2037 cases in 2021 during the same period. On the other hand, 3402 petitions were received in the State in 2022 and 7700 petitions in 2022 respectively through cyber help desks.