Berhampur Police Successfully Recovers 71 Lost Mobile Phones Valued at Over ₹25 Lakh
In a significant achievement for law enforcement, the Berhampur police have successfully recovered 71 lost or missing mobile phones, with a total value exceeding ₹25 lakh, and returned them to their rightful owners. A formal handing-over ceremony, organized as a mobile phone mela, took place at the cyber crime and economic office police station in Berhampur on Tuesday.
Special Drive Leads to Recovery of Hundreds of Devices
Additional Superintendent of Police (Berhampur) Alok Kumar Jena and DSP A K Panda personally handed over the recovered cellphones to the owners during the event. Shankar Panda, IIC of the cyber police station, explained that these devices were recovered as part of a special drive conducted by the cyber police station. He revealed that police received a staggering 1,281 complaints regarding lost or missing mobile phones in the past year alone.
From June to December last year, through this intensive initiative, authorities managed to recover 307 mobile devices. A dedicated and specialised team, operating under the supervision of SP (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M, worked in close coordination with mobile service providers and other agencies to trace the lost phones effectively.
CEIR Portal Plays Crucial Role in Tracing Lost Phones
The recovery efforts were significantly bolstered by the use of the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, a government-backed platform specifically designed to trace stolen or lost mobile phones. Police officials highlighted that the CEIR portal allows users to instantly block a lost device using its unique IMEI number, thereby safeguarding sensitive data and preventing unauthorized use.
Once a phone is blocked through this system, it becomes unusable on mobile networks, which simplifies the tracing process. This technological tool has proven instrumental in the successful recovery of these devices, demonstrating the effectiveness of digital solutions in combating crime.
Similar Initiative in Ganjam District Yields Positive Results
In a related development, Bhanajangar police in Ganjam district conducted their own mobile phone mela on Saturday, where they handed over 33 recovered devices to their rightful owners. This parallel effort underscores the widespread implementation of such recovery drives across the region, aiming to address the growing issue of lost mobile phones.
Dedicated Service for Reporting Lost Mobile Phones
To enhance the safety and security of citizens' mobile devices, the cyber police station in Berhampur offers a dedicated service for reporting missing and lost mobile phones. Individuals can lodge complaints through WhatsApp at number 8895083873 or via email at missingmobile.cyber@odishapolice.gov.in. Police advise complainants to upload relevant documents when submitting their reports to facilitate a smoother investigation process.
This proactive approach by the Berhampur police not only helps in recovering valuable property but also reinforces public trust in law enforcement agencies. The combination of specialized teams, technological tools like the CEIR portal, and coordinated efforts with service providers sets a commendable example for other regions to follow in tackling similar challenges.
