Cyber space has evolved as another menace to India by becoming handy in spreading rumors and false messages of terror attacks, a home ministry official said on Thursday.
During the inauguration of a three-day conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police organized by Intelligence Bureau in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde shed light on the rise in the number of terrorists who use the internet to incite fear and carry out attacks.
"The recent incident in Bangalore in Karnataka, Pune in Maharashtra and other states of the country where motivated rumors and irresponsible use of the social media networking media posed a new challenge," said Shinde said according to Press Trust of India.
"The recent incident in Bangalore in Karnataka, Pune in Maharashtra and other states of the country where motivated rumors and irresponsible use of the social media networking media posed a new challenge," he said.
He also added that cyber space is providing a common platform for terror advocates to communicate their interests, thus attracting similar kinds of people to join in their illegitimate activities.
"Anonymity that the user acquires in this medium can sometimes test the capacities of even the most experienced police investigator. Police forces will have to develop skills in this area not just for locating malicious content but also for identifying those responsible for posting it," he said while addressing the country's top police officers.
Shinde, who appreciated the intelligence agency which cracked down 19 terrorist modules in the country since January 2011, urged the officers to promptly look at every bit of intelligence which help develop strategies to fight against threats of attack.
He also expressed his concerns over the increasing number of crimes against women and children, saying serious measures need to be taken in this regard.
"Serious crimes against women have continuously increased during the period 2009-11. We need to adopt appropriate measures for swift and salutary punishment to the persons found guilty of violence against women," he said according to the news agency.
Speaking about the Maoist cadres in the country Shinde added that they are gaining strength and have proved their potential to form a new horde.
"Naxalism continues to pose a significant challenge. There are indicators about increase in the number of trained and armed cadres, reorganization of military potential for formation of new battalions," he said according to IANS.
