Bhubaneswar: In a decisive move to tackle the rising menace of cyber crimes, the Odisha government has approved the establishment of 20 new cyber crime and economic offence police stations across the state, informed Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on Monday .
The DGP shared the information during the inauguration of a state-level workshop on “Cyber Crime Investigation and Cyber Intelligence” held at the Cyber Complex in Bhubaneswar.
These specialized police stations are expected to play a pivotal role in detecting, preventing, and responding to digital crimes, ranging from online fraud and identity theft to financial scams and cyber exploitation.
DGP Khurania expressed optimism that the new units will significantly bolster the state’s capacity to combat cyber threats.
In addition, the DGP revealed that the state government has greenlit the creation of the Odisha Cyber Command Center in Bhubaneswar. The upcoming center will serve as a central hub for cyber intelligence gathering, offender identification, and rapid victim assistance.
“It will be a cornerstone in our fight against invisible criminals, and a crucial step in modernizing the state’s cyber infrastructure,” he added.
The workshop, organized under the aegis of the State Crime Branch, marked the beginning of a statewide initiative to enhance cyber crime investigation capabilities. Workshops at range and district levels will follow, involving officers of all ranks — from constables to senior officials — in an effort to standardize training and improve investigative acumen across the force.
Addressing the participants, DGP Khurania stressed the need for continuous upskilling in an era where digital threats are increasingly intruding into daily life. “With technology evolving rapidly, our police force must adapt swiftly to safeguard citizens from new-age crimes,” he noted.
Crimes like online investment fraud, digital arrests, financial scams, and exploitation through digital platforms are on the rise in Odisha. In response, the state police have been running extensive awareness campaigns while simultaneously reinforcing their technical and investigative capabilities.
Cyber expert Dr. Rakshit Tandon led the training sessions at the workshop, attended by officers from various districts.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of senior Crime Branch officials, including Director General of Police, CID, CB Vinaytosh Mishra, who delivered the welcome address, IG Dr. Sarthak Sarangi organized the event, and DIG (STF) Pinak Mishra, offered the vote of thanks.
The DGP concluded by urging officers to translate their learning into action and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to serving and protecting the people of Odisha in the digital age.
