Cyber Police Unit to expand operations to upazila level: Home minister
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced plans to expand the operations of the Cyber Police Unit across the country, from the central level to divisions, districts and upazilas, to prevent and combat cybercrime.
He said ensuring swift justice requires proper analysis, scientific examination of evidence and certification. As the nature of crime continues to evolve, the government is also working to strengthen law enforcement agencies’ capabilities to tackle emerging challenges.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating the newly constructed Cyber Police Centre building and digital forensic laboratory of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Chattogram on Wednesday.
Highlighting changes in the nature of crime in the modern world, Salahuddin said many offences were now being committed in cyberspace, ranging from various forms of fraud to financial crimes such as stock market manipulation.
“There is no alternative to a digital forensic laboratory for preventing and combating these crimes,” he said.
The minister said plans to establish a police cyber unit had been in place from the outset, and its operations officially began on October 1. The unit currently operates under an additional inspector general, while the newly inaugurated digital forensic laboratory will function under the supervision of the CID.
Relevant departments will continue to cooperate in digital forensic analysis and testing, as they all fall under the same ministry, he added.
“Under the leadership of the Cyber Police Unit, we will take steps to strengthen digital analysis capabilities at every level, from the central level to the divisions, districts and upazilas,” Salahuddin said.
He added that the government also planned to establish laboratories at district and divisional levels to support the Cyber Police Unit’s operations and conduct digital forensic examinations.
The minister noted that the CID had been operating chemical laboratories since its inception, issuing reports on various tests, including visceral analyses. However, changing circumstances had made it necessary to expand the laboratories’ capacity and scope, he said.
Salahuddin said the South Korean government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) had provided full support for constructing the new building and establishing the digital forensic laboratory in Chattogram.
He thanked the Korean government, the ambassador, KOICA representatives and the visiting Korean delegation for their assistance.
“Law enforcement agencies will be equipped with the necessary capabilities to prevent and combat crime in the modern digital world. To this end, all necessary preparations will be made, including laboratory facilities, essential equipment and other support resources,” he said.
CID sources said the department had taken steps to strengthen the police force’s technical and investigative capabilities to combat cybercrime in key regions, including Chattogram, under the project titled “Safer Cyberspace for Digital Bangladesh”.
As online banking, mobile financial services, e-commerce and digital payment systems continue to expand, financial fraud, illicit transactions and attempts to conceal the origins of funds are also increasing, the sources said.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh Kim Ji-jun, MP Sayed Al Noman, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Additional Inspector General (Headquarters) Sardar Nurul Amin and Additional Inspector General (CID) Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain attended the ceremony.
Senior officials, including Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Mohammad Ziauddin, CMP Commissioner Hasan Mohammad Shawkat Ali and District Superintendent of Police Masud Alam, were also present.