Tripura minister’s e-mail hacked

AGARTALA - A Tripura minister’s e-mail was hacked and false mails seeking a loan of $2,000 were sent through it, police said Tuesday.

“I’m out of the country in Cyprus and found myself in a situation which I really need to take care of now. I need a loan of $2,000,” Minister for Industries, Commerce and Rural Development Jitendra Chowdhury’s hacked mail said.

Chowdhury told IANS that he has lost some very important e-mails and write-ups saved on his mail.

Meanwhile, Tripura government will soon set up a Regional Cyber Forensic Laboratory (RCFL) in Agartala.

“The decision to set up the RCFL was taken recently in view of increasing number of cyber-related crimes in the northeastern region,” a police officer said.

He said the centre would be set up in the state forensic laboratory campus at Narsinghar, near here. The fund for the proposed RCFL would be given by the central government.

The Tripura government earlier notified guidelines that propose stringent action, including a 10-year jail term, against those involved in cyber crime.

“If anybody is found guilty of indulging in cyber crime, he can be prosecuted with a maximum of 10-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs.200,000,” police spokesperson Nepal Das told reporters.

He said the government has notified guidelines for private cyber cafes and internet dhabas. “If the cyber cafe and internet dhaba owners violate these guidelines, stringent actions will be taken against them too,” Das added.

“Children below the age of 18 years should come to cyber cafe and internet dhaba with their guardians,” said the guidelines.

The spokesperson said surprise raids will be conducted on cyber cafes and internet dhabas to ensure adherence to the Information Technology Act 2000.

The government has also designated certain police officers who can be informed by people about cyber crimes.