The Uttar Pradesh Police have launched a pioneering campaign ahead of the Kumbh Mela, aiming to tackle the growing concerns surrounding fake news and cybercrime in the state.
This initiative, named the “Digital Warrior” campaign, seeks to equip school, college, and university students with the skills needed to combat digital misinformation and cyber threats effectively.
In a statement to the media, Prashant Kumar, the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh, explained that the police force had been engaging digital volunteers since 2018.
These volunteers played a crucial role in staying connected to local police stations and providing real-time information about incidents occurring in neighbourhoods and villages. This grassroots effort allowed the police to take swift action and prevent small issues from escalating into major problems.
The addition of community features on WhatsApp in 2023 greatly expanded the reach of these volunteers. As a result, over one million digital volunteers were able to support the police by sharing valuable information.
Currently, there are around 10 lakh digital volunteers in Uttar Pradesh, and approximately 2 lakh police personnel are also involved in these community groups, contributing to the state’s efforts to enhance public safety and maintain law and order.
The rise of social media has brought new challenges in the form of cybercrime, and with it, a need for a more robust response. Recognising this, the Uttar Pradesh Police decided to rebrand the digital volunteers as “Digital Warriors.”
The aim is to involve younger people, particularly students, in tackling these modern threats. The police are encouraging students from schools, colleges, and universities to join the initiative by attending workshops and registering via Google Forms, where their contact details will be collected for future coordination.
Additionally, the police are setting up “Cyber Clubs” in educational institutions.
These clubs will be led by the newly named Digital Warriors, who will conduct workshops to raise awareness about cybercrimes and teach students how to avoid falling victim to online fraud. A designated teacher in each school and college will coordinate these efforts, ensuring that the initiative runs smoothly.
The timing of the Digital Warrior campaign is significant as it aligns with the upcoming Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. Taking place in Prayagraj, this event will see an estimated 30 to 40 crore people attending over the course of the month-long celebration.
The Uttar Pradesh Police are gearing up to support these attendees, making sure their journey and spiritual activities are not disrupted by digital threats or misinformation.
To support the Kumbh Mela, the Digital Warriors will play a key role in spreading awareness and helping prevent cybercrimes.
They will use social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram to educate the public about safety measures and how to report incidents. By using these digital platforms, the police hope to create a safer environment for attendees and reduce the risk of cybercrimes.
The Digital Warriors initiative also involves leveraging the influence of social media influencers and college students. These individuals will have four primary responsibilities: combating misinformation, raising awareness about cybercrime, educating the public as cyber trainers, and promoting police campaigns and successes on social media.
By engaging young people who are already active on these platforms, the police aim to create a network of digital ambassadors who can spread the message of safety and awareness across the state.
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