Bhubaneswar: In a significant push to curb the rising cases of cyber fraud and economic offences across the state, Odisha Police has stepped up its preparedness with a comprehensive review meeting held at the State Police Headquarters under the chairmanship of Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on Tuesday.
The high-level meeting was attended by senior officers including DGP (Crime Branch) Binaytosh Mishra, Additional DGP (Modernisation) Soumendra Priyadarshi, IGP (Crime Branch) Safin Ahmed K., IGP (Training, BPSPA) Anup Kumar Sahu, IGP (Crime Branch) Sarthak Sadangi, along with all Range IGPs, DIGs and District Superintendents of Police, who joined virtually.
During the meeting, the DGP reviewed the growing challenges posed by cyber crime and economic offences and emphasized the need for a coordinated and technology-driven response. In a major development, the state government has approved the establishment of 20 new cyber police stations across various police districts. These stations are set to be inaugurated shortly and will significantly enhance the state’s ability to respond to digital fraud complaints and conduct specialized investigations. At present, 14 Cyber Crime & Economic Offences police stations are functioning in the state, and their performance and ongoing initiatives were also reviewed.
The DGP stressed that the newly sanctioned cyber police stations must be equipped with modern infrastructure, advanced software and hardware tools, and adequate manpower. He underscored the importance of deploying cyber-trained police personnel and technical experts to strengthen investigative capabilities. Special training in cyber forensics and financial analysis will be imparted to newly appointed officers to ensure professional handling of complex digital and financial crime cases.
Expressing concern over the misuse of anonymous bank accounts and SIM cards in cyber frauds, the DGP directed strict and focused action against such practices. He also called for intensified efforts to track stolen mobile phones through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal. To reinforce enforcement, the Crime Branch has been instructed to conduct a special statewide drive from the 20th to the 27th of this month under its direct supervision to crack down on cyber criminals.
Reaffirming the state government’s “Zero Tolerance” policy towards crime, the DGP directed all units to adopt stringent and proactive measures against cyber offenders. Senior officers present at the meeting shared their suggestions and strategies to strengthen the cyber crime control framework, signalling a coordinated and intensified approach by Odisha Police to tackle the evolving threat of digital and financial fraud in the state.
