Rising cyber crimes have magnified challenges: Rajnath Singh

Hyderabad, Oct 31: Maintaining that growing cyber crimes have magnified challenges of the country, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government would soon strengthen the prevention strategy.

Addressing the passing out parade of 66th batch of IPS probationers at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVP-NPA) here, Singh said the advent of internet and mobile phone has yielded toxic poison in the form of cyber crime, which has global ramifications.

"This has naturally magnified our challenges. Figures on cyber crime for 2013-14 reveal that it is increasing at the rate of 50 per cent per year, with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh being among the most affected states. North-Eastern states on the contrary, report almost no instances of cyber crime."

"It is not necessary at all for a cyber criminal to reside in your town or country, as this is an act that can be committed from any remote corner of the world but can hit anyone, anywhere, anytime," he said.

The senior BJP leader said that the Home Ministry is taking all steps necessary for prevention of cyber crimes and very soon the government shall further strengthen the Cyber Crime Prevention Strategy.

In view of increase in the number of cyber crimes and their ever newer dimensions, modernisation of police training and police organisation is highly imperative, he said, adding, "I assure you that our government shall take steps for implementing police reforms and expedite modernisation of police force without delay."

Expressing concern that there were only 28 lady officer trainees among 128 officers passed out today, the minister stressed that they must account for more than 50 per cent.

Police today has the responsibility of not only tackling conventional crime but organised crimes and those committed under the cloak of certain ideologies as well.

"One such organised criminal activity that wears the cloak of an ideology is left-wing extremism, which is currently active in 26 districts of nine states in the country. Of course, no outfit that believes in the annihilation of democracy and in the path of violence to attain their goal can remain in existence for long. Such outfits and individuals are doubtlessly a menace," he said.

"It is therefore, necessary to bring about a qualitative change in the morale, capabilities and working methods of the police in order to deal with such individuals and organisations," the Home minister said.

As many as 143 officer trainees, including 28 female officers, six officers from the Royal Bhutan Police, four from Maldivian Police and five from Nepal Police passed out from the NPA.

Abhishek Tiwari won the Prime Minister's baton and Home Ministry's revolver for the Best All Round Officer Trainee.

PTI