Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to Implement ‘Shakti Abhiyan’ in Baramati Taluka for the Safety of Women and Girls

Baramati : Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of Pune District, Ajit Pawar, announced the implementation of the ‘Shakti Abhiyan’ campaign, focusing on “Women’s Dignity, Children’s Safety, and Youth Empowerment” in response to recent unfortunate incidents in Baramati city. Pawar stated that if the campaign is successful in Baramati, efforts will be made to extend it across Pune district and the entire state.

Speaking at the government rest house to media representatives, Pawar was joined by Sub Divisional Police Officer, Dr. Sudarshan Rathod. He explained that the ‘Shakti Abhiyan’ will be built on the concept of ‘Panch Shakti’ and will include initiatives such as the ‘Shakti Box’ (Complaint Box), Shakti Number, Shakti Kaksh, Shakti Najar, and Shakti Bhet.

The ‘Shakti Box’ will be placed in schools, colleges, government offices, private companies, hospitals, ST stands, coaching centers, women’s hostels, and post offices. Women and girls can anonymously report cases of sexual harassment, teasing, stalking, or provide information about illegal activities such as the sale of ganja, gutkha, or other criminal activities. These boxes will be checked every 2-3 days by the police, who will take appropriate action while ensuring confidentiality.

A 24×7 helpline, ‘Shakti Number’ (9209394917), will be established to assist women and girls. Complaints can be filed via phone or message, and swift action will be taken, with the complainant’s identity kept confidential. The helpline number will be displayed prominently in schools, colleges, and institutions. People can also share photos, videos, and locations related to illegal activities, and immediate help will be provided.

A ‘Shakti Kaksh’ will be set up at the Sub-Divisional Police Officer’s office and at every police station, staffed by two women police officers. These officers will provide a safe, fear-free environment where women and children can speak openly about their problems, receive legal guidance, and counseling.

Under ‘Shakti Najar,’ the police will monitor social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram for posts involving minors or young adults displaying weapons such as guns, knives, or sharp objects. Immediate action will be taken against individuals involved in such activities.

As part of ‘Shakti Bhet,’ visits will be organized to schools, colleges, government offices, and private institutions to raise awareness about women’s safety laws, good touch vs. bad touch, and addiction prevention. Special patrols will also be conducted in areas frequented by women to ensure their safety. Educational sessions on women’s laws and legal rights will be held regularly at schools and colleges.

Sensitive areas for women’s safety, known as ‘hotspots,’ will be identified for frequent police patrolling to prevent violence. In rural areas, meetings with village police patils, sarpanchs, and women from self-help groups will be organized to educate them about women’s laws. The Deputy Chief Minister has also directed the police to ensure that students are not unnecessarily harassed by boys, particularly during the dismissal times of schools and colleges.

Pawar emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in all these initiatives and instructed the police department to take appropriate precautions to protect students from bullying or harassment.

Additionally, the Deputy Chief Minister addressed the rising cases of juvenile crimes such as murder and sexual abuse, suggesting that children above the age of 14 should be treated as adults in cases involving such serious offenses.