Take stringent measures to curb cybercrimes: PM Modi

Amaravati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed state governments to take stringent measures to curb cybercrimes and “digital arrest” scams, noting that the time has come to crack down on these rising threats across the country.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister held a video conference from Delhi with Chief Secretaries of various states and Administrators of Union Territories to review progress on several initiatives, including railway projects, national highways, metro rail projects, industrial corridors, the integration of renewable energy zones, the ‘TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ (TB-free India campaign), and issues related to cybercrime and digital arrests.

During the meeting, he reviewed the progress of various infrastructure projects and the challenges associated with them, instructing the Chief Secretaries to resolve issues through inter-departmental coordination. In addition to these projects, he directed the Chief Secretaries to focus specifically on curbing the rise in digital crimes and accelerating progress under the ‘TB-Mukt Bharat’ initiative.

Prime Minister Modi directed the Chief Secretaries to implement strict measures—leveraging technology—to immediately control the menace of “digital arrests” and cyber fraud. He emphasized the need to conduct large-scale public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about these cyber scams and digital arrest tactics.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister directed states to strengthen e-FIR and Zero FIR systems to ensure that cyber complaints are swiftly converted into actionable cases.

Prime Minister Modi also emphasized the need for coordinated action among banks, the police, the RBI, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to freeze and recover fraudulently siphoned-off funds and to identify ‘mule’ accounts.

To protect citizens from cyber fraud, the Prime Minister suggested establishing dedicated institutional mechanisms for cybercrime and further strengthening the capabilities of the cyber police. He directed Chief Secretaries to identify hotspots prone to such crimes and to conduct massive awareness campaigns.

Regarding the ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ (TB-Free India Campaign), he called for efforts to reduce TB prevalence and TB-related deaths by focusing on early detection, comprehensive treatment, nutritional support, and community participation.

He urged a focus on high-risk villages and wards, the identification of vulnerable areas using AI-based tools, and the implementation of widespread screening, X-ray examinations, and early laboratory testing. Prime Minister Modi stated that approximately 67,933 Gram Panchayats across the country have already been certified as TB-free. He directed states to conduct comprehensive tuberculosis (TB) screening, ensure 100% testing for high-risk individuals, provide preventive treatment to family members, and offer specialized care to vulnerable patients.

Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar, CID SP Gangadhar Rao, and other police officials participated in the event from the Chief Secretary’s camp office in Vijayawada.