3 min readKolkataJul 3, 2026 05:30 AM IST
First published on: Jul 3, 2026 at 05:30 AM IST
Expressing concern over the sharp rise in cyber crime, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said that the state would build a dedicated cyber police network, warning that cybercrime has “effectively taken on the form of an epidemic”.
Launching cyber help desks at every police station and a statewide cyber helpline, Adhikari said that the government would strengthen its response to cyber fraud, particularly those targeting beneficiaries of social welfare schemes.
“When those who are filling out forms for social welfare schemes and providing their account numbers are identified, money is disappearing from the accounts of those marginalized people,” he said.
He said the government would create a separate cyber policing structure headed by senior officers. “Just as there are officers at the ADG and IG levels in various departments, we are also going to assign such senior officers exclusively for cyber matters. He will set up cyber helplines and cyber police stations across the entire state in coordination with the Union Home Ministry.”
Adhikari directed the police not to suppress crime complaints and ensure prompt registration of FIRs. “If any complaint comes in, there is no need to hide it. Register it. File an FIR,” he said, alleging that under the previous government crime data, particularly cases involving women and children, was not fully shared with the Union Home Ministry. “We must not send even one figure less. If we can understand what kind of disease is more prevalent in our state, then only can we arrange the right treatment. If that disease is concealed, it will only spread further.”
The Chief Minister stressed the need for operational independence within the police network to ensure quicker response, saying he had asked the Director General of Police to roll out the 112 emergency response service in the state.
“ “I have told the DGP to introduce the 112 service in our state. In Gujarat, Maharashtra and UP, the police reach the spot in an average of six minutes. In Bengal, the average is three hours. We will provide more vehicles in the next Budget and aim to bring the response time down to five minutes within a year,” he said.
Adhikari launched women help desks in 500 police stations and started the Durga Squad, a women-focused policing initiative, distributing 213 motorcycles to women police personnel.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari inaugurates the Cyber Help Desk and Durga Squad at Nabanna. (Express photo) 
Share
