Raising concerns on increasing rate of cybercrimes in the internet era, District and Session Judge, Imphal West A Guneshwar Sharma on Friday stated that unlike the conventional approaches in dealing with traditional crimes, there are manifold challenges in tackling cybercrimes.
He was speaking during an online legal awareness programme for PLVs, Police Personnel and Legal Literacy Club, Tamenglong organised by District Legal Services Authority, Tamenglong. The online programme was held on the topic ‘How to safely use social media by identifying the various dangers of cyber bulling, online sexual harassment, etc’.
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Churachandpur Janggoulen Haokip who attended the event as a resource person, began by stating that the news headlines these days are not about coronavirus or economy but the word ‘Pegasus’.
“Pegasus is a spyware so advanced that if your phone is once affected, the virus will own your camera, your voice or call log etc.,” he said. Concerning the topic of the webinar, he explained that cyberbullying or cyber harassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means.
This has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, as the digital world is expanding, he said. Consequences of cyberbullying or cyber-harassment are so serious that in one of the cases it has led to a girl committing suicide, he further said. Internet trolling, cyberstalking etc. are some forms of cyberbullying. Today, every 10 minutes someone is a victim of cybercrime, he added.
He pointed out that in India in general and Manipur in particular, many of these offences are unreported due to either lack of awareness on the fact that these acts are crimes or due to lack of information as to how complaints are to be lodged.
Janggoulen Haokip said that the Ministry of Home, Government of India has launched a portal known as ‘National Crime Reporting Portal’ where any victim without disclosing his/her identity can lodge a complaint.
He also highlighted the importance of not disclosing any personal information to any inquiry made either through text message or voice call in order to protect oneself from becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Chief Judicial Magistrate cum secretary, DLSA Tamenglong K Nirojit highlighted the importance of the roles of PLVs, policies and student legal literacy clubs in sensitising the problems of cybercrime. Cybercrime by its very nature has no boundary and a person sitting in comfort of his room can commit a crime miles away, he said.
He said, cyberbullying is a serious issue, and like any other forms of bullying it can have long term effects on its victims. Parents, teachers, children and all the stakeholders must work together to prevent cyberbullying and make the internet a safer place for all, he added.
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