Odisha Approves 20 New Cyber Crime Police Stations to Combat Rising Digital Threats

Bhubaneswar: To strengthen digital security framework, the Odisha government has approved the establishment of 20 new cyber crime and economic offence police stations across the state. The announcement was made by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania during the inauguration of a state-level workshop on “Cyber Crime Investigation and Cyber Intelligence” held at the Cyber Complex in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

These dedicated police stations are expected to play a crucial role in detecting and curbing a range of digital crimes—from online financial fraud and identity theft to cyber exploitation and digital arrests.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, DGP Khurania said, “These new units will strengthen our capacity to fight cyber threats at the grassroots level. With digital crimes becoming increasingly sophisticated, our response must be just as advanced.”

In another strategic move, the state has also greenlit the establishment of the Odisha Cyber Command Center in Bhubaneswar. This state-of-the-art facility will function as a central hub for cyber intelligence gathering, suspect tracking, and rapid victim response.

“The Cyber Command Center will be a cornerstone in our fight against invisible criminals. It’s a major step forward in building a modern, tech-savvy police force,” the DGP noted.

The announcement came during a comprehensive training workshop organized by the State Crime Branch, signaling the launch of a statewide initiative to enhance cyber investigation capabilities. Officers of all ranks—from constables to senior officials—will participate in upcoming workshops at the range and district levels.

Addressing the gathering, DGP Khurania emphasized the urgency of continuous skill enhancement for law enforcement in the face of rapidly evolving digital threats.

“Technology is evolving at lightning speed, and our police force must evolve with it to ensure the safety of our citizens,” he said.

Cyber expert Dr. Rakshit Tandon conducted the training sessions, sharing best practices and investigative strategies with officers from across Odisha. The event was inaugurated in the presence of senior Crime Branch officials, including DGP (CID, CB) Vinaytosh Mishra, who welcomed participants; IG Dr. Sarthak Sarangi, who coordinated the workshop; and DIG (STF) Pinak Mishra, who delivered the vote of thanks.

The workshop comes amid a notable rise in cyber crimes across Odisha, including online investment fraud, digital extortion, and financial scams. In response, the state police have intensified both awareness campaigns and technological readiness.

DGP Khurania concluded the event by urging officers to translate their training into actionable fieldwork and reiterated the department’s commitment to building a cyber-resilient Odisha.

“We are fully committed to protecting the people of Odisha in this new digital era. Our goal is not just enforcement, but also education, prevention, and rapid response,” he affirmed.