Send accurate crime data to NCRB: Bengal CM directs police 

Kolkata, July 2 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday directed the state police authorities to henceforth send accurate crime records data to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

At a meeting with the top officials of both West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police at the state secretariat of Nabanna on Thursday, he directed that the old practice of understating the crime records data to the NCRB should be trashed and instead send the correct data on this count.

Later, speaking to the media persons after that meeting, the Chief Minister again became vocal against the issue of understating crime records data from West Bengal to NCRB during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime.

"There is no need to hide any complaint. Register it and file an FIR where necessary. The previous government did not send the accurate data that the department under the Union Home Ministry sought from the state government on various crimes, especially complaints related to crime against women and children. But henceforth, there will be no more understating of crime records data. We will have to understand what kind of disease is prevalent in our state and arrange for proper remedy. If we hide that disease, its impact will rise," the Chief Minister said.

It is learnt that during the meeting with the top cops, the Chief Minister also emphasised more authority for the police to take on-the-spot decisions in case of any incident.

"I have directed the state Director General of Police to launch 112 service in our state. In Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the police reach the spot of the incident in an average time of just six minutes. In West Bengal, that same average time is three hours. More vehicles will be provided to the police in the next budget. If in other states, the police could reach the spot of the incident in six minutes, our target is five minutes. That should be our goal," the Chief Minister said.

He also said that henceforth, besides the specialised cyber police stations, there will be a dedicated cybercrime-related helpdesk in each and every police station.

"Cyber fraud has reached an alarming stage now. Even those who have filled out forms for social projects are becoming victims of cybercrime. Even small allowance amounts from their accounts disappear in a few seconds. Marginalised people are also victims of fraud. A cyber-help desk will be launched in collaboration with the Government of India and the state governments to assist those who have been cheated," the Chief Minister announced.