Executive Summary

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The Cyber Chaupal held in Jamtara was a joint grassroots initiative by CyberPeace and Raftaar News aimed at raising awareness on cyber safety, digital rights, and responsible internet usage. The event brought together key stakeholders, including media representatives, law enforcement, civil society, educators, and local communities, to promote digital literacy and encourage collective action toward making Jamtara a hub of cyber safety instead of cybercrime.

Introduction

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Jamtara, often in the national spotlight for cybercrime incidents, was chosen as the location for this impactful initiative. Recognising the need for community-led change, the Cyber Chaupal aimed to empower locals with knowledge and tools to protect themselves online and to change the perception of Jamtara from a cybercrime hub to a centre for cyber safety and digital empowerment.

Event Details

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• Date: April 27, 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Jamtara District, Jharkhand
• Theme: Cyber Suraksha, Jan Bhagidari
• Organizers: CyberPeace & Raftaar News
• Target Audience: Local villagers, youth, women, Panchayat members, members of law enforcement, academia, government officials and ministers, and members of civil society organisations.

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Event Highlights

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Inaugural Session

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• Mr. Gaurav Singh, Managing Director, Raftaar News
  Shared the origin story of Raftaar Media and emphasised the purpose of the event in spreading awareness about the prevalence of cybercrime. He praised Major Vineet Kumar's efforts in taking cybercrime awareness to the grassroots and appealed for community support in changing public perception.
  
  
• Mr. Manoj Kumar, Associate Editor, Raftaar News
  Welcomed all guests and explained how the idea for the Cyber Chaupal came from the Vidhan Sabha Speaker. He highlighted the town’s historical legacy, referring to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and called for restoring Jamtara's reputation through awareness and reform.
  
  
• Mr. Dinesh O. Bareja, Advisor, CyberPeace
  Urged the community to take pride in transforming Jamtara’s image. He criticized the glorification of cybercrime among youth and emphasized that their skills could be redirected toward legal, productive careers in cybersecurity. He cited global examples like Medellín and New York that successfully changed their criminal reputations with collective efforts from governments, media, and civil society.
  
  
• Major Vineet Kumar, Founder & Global President, CyberPeace
  Emphasized the goal of turning Jharkhand into a model of cyber safety. He discussed how the Chaupal aimed to build a network of Cyber Guardians through multi stakeholder collaboration involving civil society, media, law enforcement, and academia. He spoke about rehabilitating cybercrime-affected youth by skilling and supporting them in entrepreneurship or employment.
  
  
• Shri Rabindranath Mahato, Hon’ble Speaker, Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha (Chief Guest)
  Stressed the urgent need to change the global perception of Jamtara. He called attention to the human cost of cybercrime, with families losing life savings, and proposed incorporating cyber laws and digital safety into school curriculums. He also urged constant upgradation of the cyber police infrastructure.
  
  

Technical Session – Cybersecurity Awareness

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• Ms. Shubhangi Shifa, Trainer, CyberPeace
  Conducted a detailed awareness session on common cyber threats such as OTP fraud, phishing, social media scams, vishing, and impersonation. She provided practical safety tips for platforms like Gmail, Instagram, and WhatsApp and informed participants about key reporting mechanisms:
  
  • Cyber Helpline: 1930
  • Online Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in
  • CyberPeace Assistance: 9570000066

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Panel Discussion – Stakeholder Perspectives

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Panelists:

• Mohanlal Burman, President, Bar Council, Jamtara
• Preeti Kumari Srivastava, Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
• Inspector Abdur Rehman, Cyber Police, Jamtara
• Inspector Devendra Kumar Verma, Cyber Police, Jamtara
• Birendra Mandal, Former Chairman, Nagar Panchayat, Jamtara

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Key Points:

• Panellists discussed the need for long-term awareness and the role of family, education, and rehabilitation in reducing cybercrime.
• The police shared progress—Jamtara is now ranked 14th in cybercrime cases nationally, down from 1st, thanks to strict enforcement and awareness drives.
• Discussions included modus operandi like APK file fraud, WhatsApp cloning, and spyware. Police explained how cyber syndicates operate using digital wallets, fake accounts, and layered money laundering.
• Concerns were raised about underage involvement in crimes and how victims, often unaware and uneducated, struggle with reporting procedures.

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Special Addresses

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• Baadal Patralekh, Former Minister, Government of Jharkhand
  Encouraged netizens to protect their data and urged the youth to channel their skills toward constructive opportunities.
  
  
• Dr. Irfan Ansari, Health Minister, Government of Jharkhand
  Appreciated the organisers and expressed his commitment to supporting such initiatives to restore Jamtara’s image on national and global platforms.
  
  
• Dr Ehtesham Waquarib, Superintendent of Police, Jamtara, Jharkhand Police
  Dr. Waquarib commended the consistent efforts of the Jamtara police in reducing cybercrimes over the past several years. He highlighted how the district has seen a tangible decline in such activities due to proactive policing and increased awareness. He emphasised that rehabilitation is an important pillar of their strategy, including efforts to motivate even those previously involved in crimes to choose a reformed path. He shared how the old police station is now being transformed into a library as a symbolic and practical move towards change and education. He encouraged continued collaboration among stakeholders to design and implement rehabilitation models tailored for Jamtara’s youth. Dr. Waquarib concluded by offering practical cyber safety tips to the attendees and emphasised the importance of community vigilance.

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Conclusion

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The Cyber Chaupal in Jamtara sparked impactful conversations around digital safety, skill redirection, and social responsibility. The event successfully mobilised local support, engaged key stakeholders, and laid the foundation for a community-led transformation of Jamtara into a Cyber Suraksha Hub.

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