SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday reviewed Jammu and Kashmir’s cybercrime prevention framework and directed authorities to strengthen coordination among key stakeholders to tackle the growing menace of online fraud while ensuring timely assistance to victims.
Chairing a high-level meeting of the Home Department, Dulloo assessed measures taken to prevent cybercrimes, including digital arrest scams, phishing, online financial fraud, identity theft, cyber slavery and other cyber-enabled offences. He also reviewed the Action Taken Report on decisions taken during the previous meeting and evaluated progress in improving institutional mechanisms, investigative capacity, public awareness and inter-agency coordination.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, Commissioner Secretaries of the Information Technology, General Administration and Law departments, scientists from the National Informatics Centre (NIC), and officers from the Department of Public Grievances.
The Chief Secretary said that while the government has established a comprehensive institutional framework to combat cybercrime, its effectiveness would depend on efficient implementation and the ability to provide prompt relief to victims of online fraud.
He directed the Home Department to conduct regular reviews of the cybercrime prevention and response system and ensure close coordination among the police, banks, financial institutions, telecom service providers, the IT Department and other agencies. Such coordination, he said, is essential for preventing cyber fraud, responding quickly to incidents and protecting citizens from financial losses.
Dulloo also reviewed the functioning of the recently established Jammu and Kashmir Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (JK4C), describing it as the Union Territory’s nodal agency for coordinated action against cybercrime. He said the centre should evolve into a technology-driven platform for prevention, intelligence sharing, investigation, capacity building and coordination among departments.
He directed that the JK4C, headed by an Inspector General of Police and supported by technical experts, be provided with adequate infrastructure and logistical support to enable it to function effectively.
Stressing the need for continuous capacity building, the Chief Secretary instructed all law enforcement agencies to ensure timely completion of CyTrain courses by police personnel and expedite exposure visits of officers to states with well-established cybercrime investigation systems. He said modern investigative techniques and regular upskilling would significantly improve cybercrime investigations.
During the meeting, officials informed the Chief Secretary that cyber safety awareness has been integrated into police-public meetings at police stations across Jammu and Kashmir, with awareness campaigns being redesigned based on emerging cybercrime trends.
The meeting was also informed that 23 Cyber Police Stations have been established across all police districts, strengthening the Union Territory’s cybercrime investigation network.
Officials further apprised the meeting that the government has formally notified the establishment of the JK4C to provide an integrated framework for cybercrime prevention, investigation and inter-agency coordination.
Reviewing the implementation of the e-Zero FIR mechanism for cyber financial fraud involving amounts of Rs 1 lakh and above, Dulloo said prompt registration of complaints and integration with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) would enable law enforcement agencies to freeze fraudulent transactions more quickly and improve recovery of defrauded money.
The meeting also reviewed the use of advanced cyber investigation platforms such as Sahyog, Samanvaya and Pratibimb, which facilitate interstate coordination, hotspot mapping, online content takedowns and investigation of organised cybercrime networks.
Reiterating that public awareness remains the strongest defence against cybercrime, the Chief Secretary urged all departments to adopt a whole-of-government approach to strengthen institutional mechanisms, improve intelligence sharing, leverage technology and sustain awareness campaigns to build a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
