Keralam needs a strong security shield to fight cyber crime, says Home Minister Chennithala

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and actor Mammootty at the launch of Kerala Police’s ‘Click’ initiative in Kochi on October 31, 2026. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Keralam needs a strong cyber security shield (Kavacham) to prevent and counter cyber crimes, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said here on Saturday.

He was speaking after inaugurating the community-led initiative for a cyber-resilient Keralam (CLICK), an initiative of the Kerala Police. At the event, actor Mammooty was announced as the captain of the initiative.

In the last year alone, a total of over 50,000 cyber cases have been registered in the state. Many cases have not yet been reported. This shows the extent of cyber crime in the state. Plans are afoot to set up cyber defense centers in 250 colleges in the state to increase vigilance against cyber crime. The Department of Higher Education provides all assistance in this regard. However, awareness needs to be raised among the elderly on how to ensure safe use of smartphones so that they do not become victims of cybercrime and online fraud, Mr Chennithala said.

Cyber ​​First Responders, Cyber ​​Secure Villages and Cyber ​​Resilient Centers were also announced as part of this feature. Mayor VK Minimol and State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 07:00 IST