Will Bihar Police Establish Dedicated Units to Combat Cybercrime and Drug Trafficking?

Patna, June 9 (NationPress) In a significant initiative to bolster law enforcement capabilities, the Bihar government has sanctioned a proposal from the Police Headquarters to create two distinct specialized units—one focused on preventing cyber crimes and the other aimed at addressing drug, narcotics, and alcohol-related offenses.

This proposal is set to be presented to the state Cabinet for final endorsement shortly.

On Monday, Additional Director General (ADG) Headquarters Kundan Krishnan informed the press that the new units will consist of a Cyber Crime cum Cyber Security Unit and a State Anti-Narcotics cum Prohibition Unit.

ADG Krishnan pointed out that narcotics and prohibition-related responsibilities were previously managed by the Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), but a more focused approach is now essential.

"Since April, a team from the Special Task Force (STF) has been diligently working to mitigate drug trafficking. However, to improve our effectiveness, we have resolved to form a dedicated anti-narcotics unit," he stated.

He elaborated that a team established in January has been mapping the most frequently used narcotics in the state, gathering critical intelligence over the past four months.

"It has been discovered that drugs are entering Bihar from Nepal, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. In light of this, we have intensified operations in vital areas," Krishnan remarked.

While the EOU has been addressing cybercrime, Krishnan noted that occurrences are becoming increasingly frequent and intricate.

"With a dedicated Cyber Crime cum Cyber Security Unit, we will be more equipped to combat digital offenses more vigorously," he added.

Krishnan also shared the latest crime statistics for the state.

In 2024, the average monthly murder cases were 232, while in 2025, it has been 233 cases per month.

Although the figures indicate only a minor increase, murder cases remain a significant concern for the department.

In the initial five months of this year, 490 cases of rape and gang rape have been registered across various police stations in the state.

Last year, the monthly average of such cases was 184, but this year it has decreased to 98 per month, indicating some progress.

ADG Krishnan also raised concerns regarding unauthorized ammunition usage, particularly concerning 315-bore cartridges, which are reportedly being exploited.

“A .315 bore bullet, available at government rates for Rs 175–200, is being sold on the black market for Rs 400 per unit. It is packaged in sets of 10, with efforts underway to dismantle this illegal supply,” he stated.

Currently, the law permits 200 cartridges per licensed individual annually, but investigations have uncovered instances of users firing 50–60 bullets at once, raising significant alarm.

"Arms licenses are issued for self-defense, not for such excessive firing. We are contemplating reducing the limit to 85 units per year per license," Krishnan added.

The establishment of these specialized units signifies a strategic transformation in the Bihar Police’s approach to addressing emerging forms of crime in both the digital and narcotics arenas, emphasizing intelligence-led policing and stricter regulatory oversight.