The Omar Abdullah government has taken an important step towards strengthening the cyber security framework in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and improving its capacity to deal with the increasing cyber crime.
Srinagar: The government of the Union Territory has taken an important step to deal with the increasing cyber crime and digital security threats in Jammu and Kashmir. The government has approved the establishment of ‘Jammu and Kashmir Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’ (JK4C). The new arrangement aims to strengthen prevention, detection, investigation of cyber crime and better coordination between various security agencies.
This decision of the government is being considered an important initiative towards modernizing the cyber security infrastructure of Jammu and Kashmir. The new cyber unit will be developed as a major coordination agency for cyber crime related cases in the state.
JK4C will work under the supervision of Director General of Police
As per the government order, JK4C will function as an independent organization and its administrative control will be under the Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir. Under the new arrangement, cases related to cyber crime have been separated from the existing crime wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police. Now JK4C has been given the responsibility of coordination, prevention, detection and investigation of cyber crime cases in the Union Territory.
The objective of this change is to create a special and centralized institutional arrangement for matters related to cyber crime, so that technical crimes can be investigated in a more effective manner.
Will coordinate with I4C of Central Government
JK4C will also coordinate with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. This is expected to help in linking the cyber crime prevention system of Jammu and Kashmir with the national cyber security framework. According to the government, better coordination with cyber crime related resources and expertise available at the national level can strengthen the process of detection and investigation of digital crimes.
IGP rank officer will be CEO of JK4C
According to the government order, JK4C will be headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP). This officer will hold the responsibility as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the centre. The government has appointed IPS officer Sheikh Junaid Mahmood as the first CEO of Jammu and Kashmir Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
Apart from this, many senior officers have been assigned different responsibilities in the new cyber unit. Among these, Sameer Sharma, IPS has been given the responsibility of DIG, JK4C, Mohammad Yasin Kitchlu, IPS has been given the responsibility of SSP, Cyber Operations Wing and Ramneesh Gupta has been given the responsibility of SSP, Cyber Investigation Wing. Shwetambari Sharma has been posted as SP in the Online Crimes Against Women and Children (OCWC) wing.
Two CICE and 23 district cyber police stations will be part
The new structure of JK4C will also include the two Zonal Cyber Crime Investigation Centers of Excellence (CICEs) and 23 District Cyber Police Stations already functioning in Jammu and Kashmir. This is expected to create an integrated network at the state level to deal with cyber crime. The new system aims to improve coordination between various units, from cases registered at the district level to investigation of complex and technical cyber crimes.
The government has also approved JK4C’s organizational structure, potential human resources, operational arrangements and responsibilities of various verticals and units. Detailed information related to these is given in the annexure issued along with the government order. According to the order, the process of creation of new posts required for the functioning of the Center and their regular appointment will be taken forward after completion of the prescribed formalities.
However, to ensure that there is no delay in starting the work of the new unit, Jammu and Kashmir Police Headquarters has been directed to make temporary deployment of necessary officers and staff from the existing police force. These will include personnel of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) and below.
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