Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

Police becoming cyber-savvy

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

CYBER-SAVVY: Police personnel undergoing training at the Arena Multimedia Centre in Thiruvalla.

PATHANAMTHITTA: Police personnel in the Central Travancore district of Pathanamthitta are turning cyber-savvy. Arena Multimedia Ltd. (AML), a private agency, has launched an initiative to impart free training to police officials in the basics of computer technology and Internet, office automation software and `tools' to check hacking of web sites.

District Superintendent of Police M.N. Jayaprakash inaugurated a 30-day Computer Literacy and Training Programme as part of the Mass Empowerment Through Cyber Technology scheme of the AML.

Ten personnel attached to the offices of the Deputy Superintendent of Police and Circle Inspector in Thiruvalla have begun taking computer lessons as part of the programme. Deputy Superintendent of Police Philipose Abraham, Circle Inspector K.B. Prafullachandran and Sub-Inspector G.L. Ajith Kumar have enrolled in the first batch, which began its lessons at the Arena Centre on August 14.

This is for the first time in the State that a programme is being organised as a pilot project to impart free computer training to police personnel by a private agency, said centre director Saji Philip and manager Manoj Mathew.

Information technology is a major area of security risk and hackers have been employing sophisticated methods in the fast developing cyber space, says Mr. Manoj.

The police will first be given basic education in computers and Internet before making them familiar with various computer applications and Internet browsing.

Mr. Philip said the police would be taught to combat cyber crimes using special education software.

The SP said police personnel in other parts of the district would also be given an opportunity to attend the training programme. Mr. Saji Philip said the training programme would be extended to other districts too, if the Home Department gave the required support and clearance.

He said the AML was also planning to conduct similar training programmes for schoolchildren, Government employees, health care personnel, people's representatives, auto-taxi drivers and the lesser-privileged classes as part of its social commitment.

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Police becoming cyber-savvy

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