GUWAHATI: In a major move to intensify women security and upholding their dignity, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday launched ‘181-Sakhi toll free women helpline’ here.
Chief Minister Sonowal expressed serious concern over recent spurt of crimes against women in the state. He said that the state government was taking series of measures to stop such crimes and stringent action would be taken against the perpetrators of such crimes.
Sonowal informed that police stations throughout the state had been alerted to keep close watch over such incidents. “SPs of all the districts have been asked to ensure swift and correct filing of charge-sheet in all crimes against women so that justice can be given to the victims. Our Government has also written to the Gauhati High Court to set up Fast track Court to deal with crimes against women on a day to day basis”, Sonowal said adding that a women cell at DGP office to oversee speedy proceeding of all cases against women to be opened.
Underscoring the importance of joint initiative by the government and public to tackle crimes against women, the Chief Minister further said that DCs and SPs are directed to conduct intensive awareness campaigns so that people are made aware to prevent heinous crimes taking place against women in all corners of the state.
The Chief Minister also urged the women to make best use of the 181-Sakhi toll free women helpline. He also directed the government stakeholders to ensure immediate response to the calls of women in distress.
Noteworthy that 181-Sakhi toll free women helpline is a scheme of universalization of women helpline and is launched under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. This service intends to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence. The service is presently being launched for one shift and will be open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM and will be made available 24×7 shortly.
The service is integrated with Women Police Stations, State Commission for Women, Family Counselling Centres, NGOs, Legal Service Centres, Shelter Homes, Medical & Legal Experts. The helpline will assist women in terms of social welfare schemes, shelter, counselling, medical examination, filing FIR, legal aid, recording of audio and visual depositions and emergency response and rescue.
While Director of Social Welfare SS Meenakshi Sundaram delivered the welcome speech, Raj Kachroo of Aman Satya Kachroo Trust explained the helpline service through a power-point presentation.
Chairperson of Assam State Women Commission Chikimiki Talukdar, Chairperson of Assam State Social Welfare Board, Krishna Das Barman, DGP Mukesh Sahay, Additional Chief Secretary Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary Social Welfare Jishnu Baruah, Principal Secretary Home LS Changsan were also present among others in the programme.
