Night watch: Cops launch initiative for women’s safety

Kochi: Nirbhaya Nisha, a Kerala Police initiative to ensure women's safety during night hours, was launched in Ernakulam district on International Women's Day. The launch events were held at the Marine Drive walkway by the Kochi City Police and in Aluva by the Ernakulam rural police.The project, inaugurated state-wide by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Feb 24, provides rapid police response to women travelling by public transport between 9pm and 5am. It coordinates the emergency response support system, the SOS button on the POL-APP, the 112 helpline, district control rooms, highway patrols and pink patrol vehicles to deliver real-time assistance in emergencies. The programme also focuses on strengthening police patrolling, control room monitoring and hotspot analysis to improve safety for women, particularly those returning from night shifts. Kochi city police launched the initiative at Marine Drive walkway with a Women's Walk from Ernakulam Boat Jetty to Rainbow Bridge, followed by self-defence training, a police orchestra performance and distribution of project brochures. In Ernakulam rural district, district police chief K S Sudarshan launched the event at Aluva KSRTC bus stand, announcing a dedicated pink police presence in Aluva during night hours. Aluva municipality chairperson Saiji Jolly and actor Aditi Ravi attended as guests.