Surat police come up with free helpline for children,women

On receiving the call,a police team will immediately arrive at the spot and will examine the situation and will take remedial action.

This toll-free number 1098 service will be available 24 hours and will be attended by a woman constable. She will convey the messages to nearby police stations for further process.

People can use this facility if they come across any incident of child abuse,minors engaged in jobs,the incidents of eve teasing or sexual harassment. The informers’ names would be kept hidden.

The police inspectors of all the 18 police stations have been given strict instruction to act immediately on messages passed on by the women police constables. One can also call on this number if they find abandoned infants or children who have been separated from their parents.

A special office has been set up for this helpline services in the women’s police station at Umra. NGO’s like Pratham,Akhil Hind Mahila Parishad and Sahkar Trust will also coordinate with the police for rehabilitation work. The women staff working at this service centre has been given training to attend the calls and ensure if police personnel have arrived at the place or not.

Giving details about the new project,Additional Police Commissioner Range I Shamsher Singh said,“Through this concept we can change the mindset of young victims and can prevent them from becoming criminals. Crime in early age leaves bad impression on young minds. We also want to see the city safe for women.”