CM calls for inter-state police collaboration

CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin has called for more coordination among police of different states to fight crime, recalling how police in Kerala and Tamil Nadu worked together recently to nab ATM thieves.

At a conference of directors general of police of southern states here, Stalin said the threat of inter-state crimes was growing, especially narcotics smuggling and cybercrime. Inter-state collaboration was needed to dismantle criminal networks. “Catching cybercriminals requires police to operate across state borders, which poses significant challenges,” he said.

In 2023 alone, 1,390 cases in Tamil Nadu involved criminals from other states, many of whom were apprehended within the state. Stalin also raised concerns about the rise of “cyber slavery”, where young people are being exploited and coerced into cybercrimes.

“It is critical that we strengthen our coordinated efforts to tackle these emerging threats,” he added. Stalin also called for extensive use of modern technology such as automatic number plate recognition systems, advanced cameras, and other surveillance tools at border check posts to detect smuggled goods, illegal vehicles, and criminals.

The event was attended by TN additional chief secretary (home) Dheeraj Kumar, DGP Shankar Jiwal, Karnataka’s DGP Alok Mohan, Kerala’s DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb, Shalini Singh from Puducherry, Dwaraka Tirumala Rao from Andhra Pradesh, and officers from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.During the session, Alok Mohan said delivery of narcotic drugs through courier services was a serious challenge and gaps in the legal framework needed to be filled to counter it. Sandeep Mittal, ADGP, Cyber Crime Wing, Tamil Nadu, presented a case study where cyber criminals had siphoned off nearly 1 crore within two hours of committing the offence. He suggested a 48-hour moratorium on withdrawals from suspicious accounts.

The conference also discussed issues related to terror funding and religious radicalisation, left-wing extremism and developments in the field of forensic science.

Source: Times of India, Chennai