Staff crisis at cyber police station delays work

KOCHI: The state’s lone cyber police station in Thiruvananthapuram is in a pathetic condition with no adequate staff and proper infrastructure facilities. At a time when the number of cyber complaints across the state has increased to over one lakh a year, the station has only 11 police officials to investigate these complaints and take action.The cyber police station was launched during the last LDF Government’s time. The government was planning to come up with more such stations across the state.  However, after the initial hype, nothing was done.  At present, out of the 11 officials, 10 are on work arrangement from other stations. “Other than the DySP, all other officials at the cyber police station are from other stations or wings and are on work arrangement. The station doesn’t have enough officials to register and investigate cases. At a time when cyber complaints are increasing at an alarming rate, the station is in a completely pathetic state,” official sources said.Earlier, the police had submitted a proposal before the Finance Department to increase the staff strength at the cyber station and to buy latest equipment. When the original proposal pointed out the need for a minimum staff strength of 40, the Finance Department cut it down to 16. Sources said the primary reason for not appointing officials to the cyber station is a cold war between the local police and the camp police. “A couple of policemen at the camp are interested in getting into the cyber station on a permanent basis.  However, according to the law, officials from the local police are mandatory for registering and investigating cases. This cold war has been delaying appointments to the station,” sources said.