Cybercrime, drug offences rising in Karnataka; CM Siddaramaiah urges strict police action
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday cautioned that cybercrimes and drug-related offences are on the rise in the state and urged the police to take strong and effective measures to curb them.
He also called on the police to make better use of technology to curb such crimes.
The chief minister was speaking at the ‘Karnataka Police Flag Day’ event, attended by Home Minister G Parameshwara and senior Home Department and police officials.
“In the last three years, there has been a decline in major crimes such as murder, robbery, and theft. I compliment the police for this. However, we cannot ignore that in certain crimes we are above the national average. Cybercrimes and drug and narcotics-related offences are on the higher side, and the conviction rate is also low,” Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing police officers and personnel, he said the Karnataka government intends to make the state drug-free and that all necessary measures should be taken in this direction.
“I have stated on several occasions, and I reiterate that criminal offences cannot occur without the knowledge of the police within their station jurisdiction. This must be clearly understood,” he said.
“If police inspectors work efficiently and honestly within their limits, they can prevent several criminal activities,” he added.
Noting that the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law, the chief minister said this principle should always be upheld.
“No one can take the law into their own hands, irrespective of how powerful or influential they are,” he said.
He also urged the police to remain alert and work efficiently in areas where they are lagging in preventing crime and maintaining peace and tranquillity.
Emphasising the use of technology in crime prevention, Siddaramaiah said the police have lagged in this area on several occasions.
“By using technology, the police should prevent crimes, especially cybercrimes and drug and narcotics-related offences, as these are destroying our youth, who are our future. This is very important,” he said, adding that two special task forces have been set up to tackle cybercrime and make the state drug-free.
Warning of action against police personnel who fail to prevent crimes, the CM instructed the Home Minister to hold jurisdictional inspectors accountable if necessary preventive measures are not taken despite repeated warnings.
He added that his government is committed to protecting women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable sections of society, and that the police play a crucial role in ensuring their safety.
Acknowledging that police personnel, unlike those in other departments, do not have fixed working hours and often work during festivals and holidays, he said, “A country or a state with good law and order can progress, as it attracts investment, reduces unemployment, and boosts GDP growth. Therefore, along with development, maintaining harmony is equally important.”
Speaking at the event, Parameshwara said the government has taken initiatives to eradicate the drug network in the state and that the CM has announced his intention to make Karnataka “drug-free.”
“In the last three years, drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees have been seized, and strict action has been taken against many accused involved in the racket,” he said.
He noted that cybercrime is on the rise in the country and added that Karnataka has, for the first time, established a Cyber Command Unit and appointed a Director General-rank officer to lead it. Efforts are underway to curb cybercrime by strengthening the unit.
Referring to the Union Home Minister’s recent statement declaring the country Naxal-free, Parameshwara said, “By establishing an Anti-Naxal Force many years ago, Karnataka became the first Naxal-free state in the country.”
He added that modern challenges are evolving daily and stressed the need for continuous training across all levels of the police force.
Lauding the police for maintaining peace, tranquillity, and law and order in the state, the minister said that, according to the India Justice Report, Karnataka ranks first in providing justice to aggrieved parties in the country.
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Northern Railway adds 40 runs of Delhi–Katra special train for summer rush
Jammu (PTI): Amid an anticipated surge in pilgrim traffic during the summer vacation period, the Northern Railway’s Jammu Division on Thursday announced 40 additional runs of the special train between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station, an official said.
Jammu Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the extension from April 15 to July 16 has been approved in view of the train’s immense popularity and the 100 per cent occupancy recorded during its earlier runs.
He said the Train No 04081 (New Delhi to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra) will operate from April 15 to July 15, completing a total of 40 runs, while Train No 04082 (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi) will run from April 16 to July 16, also undertaking 40 additional runs during the period.
"This service has proven to be an affordable and convenient option not only for devotees travelling to Katra but also for tourists heading to Kashmir and passengers boarding at intermediate stations along the route,” the official said.
Regarding the timings and stoppages of the special train, he said the Train No 04081 will depart from New Delhi at 11.45 pm and arrive at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 12 pm the following day.
The Train No 04082 will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 9 pm and arrive at New Delhi at 10 am the following morning, he said.
During its journey, the special train will halt in both directions at Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Jammu, and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan railway stations, he said.
He said the special train will comprise 21 coaches and is expected to significantly enhance passengers’ chances of securing confirmed tickets.
