Pause before you pay: Thousands join cyber security march to promote safer online habits in Hyderabad
Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand, Principal Secretary, Home and Telangana Cyber Security Authority Director, Shikha Goel and other senior officers unveiled the Cyber Security Awareness Month poster at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, Hyderabad on Thursday. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL
Thousands of mobile phone torches and LED bracelets lit up Necklace Road on Thursday (October 1) evening as around 3,000 people walked with a simple message against cyber scams: stop, think and verify before you click, share or pay.
The two-km ‘Cyber Security Flash – Pause for Safety’ light march organized by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) at People’s Plaza marked the beginning of Cyber Security Month in Telangana. This year’s theme is “Don’t make it easy for them”.
The participants included police officers, students, ex-servicemen, members of the industrial and factory community, Sahachar women volunteers from Malkajgiri and families and other citizens from all over Hyderabad. As the march made its way down Necklace Road, participants lit up their mobile phone flashlights and LED wristbands in a display meant to symbolize vigilance against cyber fraud.
Citizens, students and volunteers participating in the ‘Cyber Security Flash – Pause for Safety’ light march organized by Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, Hyderabad on Thursday. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL
“Cyber frauds are reaching people today through the phone in their pocket and the fraudsters are counting on one thing: that we will act in a hurry,” Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand said after leaving the march.
Calling an alert citizen the “first line of defence”, the DGP said pausing for a few seconds before clicking on a link, sharing information or making a payment could prevent a large proportion of fraud.
Actor Adivi Sesh, who attended the event as the guest of honour, said online scams can target anyone, from students and working professionals to parents at home. “Fraudsters count on us to act in a hurry, and the only thing that protects us is to stop and check,” he said.
The event kicked off a month-long campaign to bring the message of cyber security across Telangana. Shikha Goel, principal secretary, home ministry and director, TGCSB, said police units across the state would conduct awareness programs targeting students, women, senior citizens, working professionals and businesses.
“Our cybersecurity mantra is simple: ‘Pause. Think. Verify.’ Before clicking a link, before sharing information, before responding to an unexpected request, or before making a payment,” she said.
The campaign will conclude on October 31 with similar cyber blitz walks in each district flagged off by the respective inspector generals and police commissioners.
An informational poster, an AI-based informational video and a cyber-awareness film were launched before Thursday’s march. Five stalls were also set up by TGCSB, Telangana Narcotics Enforcement Wing (EAGLE), Hyderabad SHE Teams, Cyberabad Traffic Wing and Fire Brigade, covering cyber crime, narcotics, women safety, traffic and fire safety.
The event was attended by four police commissioners from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Malkajgiri and Future City along with other senior police officials.
Police also reiterated that victims of financial cyber fraud should call 1930 immediately, stressing that reporting within the first hour could greatly increase the chances of getting their money back.
Published – 01 Oct 2026 21:14 IST