Cyber Safety – Gujarat Police Begin Statewide Drive to Protect Women and Children Online
Cyber Safety – Gujarat Police have started a 28-day statewide initiative to improve online safety for women and children through cyber awareness, technology-based policing, victim assistance and coordinated enforcement. Named Operation Surakshit Cyberspace, the campaign began on July 1 and is scheduled to continue until July 28.
Focus on prevention and early police action
The programme is designed to reduce cyber risks before they lead to serious harm. Police officials said the campaign will combine intelligence gathering, public outreach and preventive intervention to create a safer digital environment across Gujarat.
The initiative aims to help women and children feel secure while using online platforms, similar to the protection expected in public places. It will also focus on identifying possible cyber threats at an early stage and ensuring timely action when complaints are received.
Support for victims of online offences
Ajay Choudhary, Additional Director General of Police, CID Crime (Women Cell), said the campaign has been launched in response to the growing number of cyber offences affecting women and children.
He said online exploitation, cyberstalking, financial fraud, identity theft and digital harassment remain major concerns. Under the guidance of Director General of Police G.S. Malik, the operation will focus on locating vulnerable individuals, limiting financial losses, improving public awareness and ensuring quick police intervention.
Police personnel have been directed to verify cybercrime alerts, identify people who may be at risk and provide counselling where required. They will also help victims register complaints through the National Cyber Helpline and ensure that cases are promptly recorded and investigated.
Technology and local outreach to strengthen safety
Field officers will use cyber intelligence, analytical tools and local verification to identify possible threats. The approach is intended to prevent offences from escalating and improve coordination between cybercrime units and local police teams.
Dedicated cybercrime police stations and SHE Teams will lead implementation at the local level. Their work will include awareness sessions, school visits, community meetings and targeted outreach for women, students, parents and educational institutions.
Gujarat Police will also work with banks, telecom companies, schools, colleges, Resident Welfare Associations, non-governmental organisations and community representatives. These partnerships are expected to improve reporting, increase awareness and encourage safer digital habits.
Statewide awareness targets set for the campaign
The campaign has set several measurable goals for its 28-day duration. Gujarat Police plan to educate 25 lakh people about cyber safety and responsible online behaviour. Around 20 lakh students are expected to take the Cyber Safety Pledge during the drive.
Officials also aim to organise awareness programmes in 10,000 schools and 1,500 colleges. Separate sessions will be conducted for one lakh adolescent girls, covering cyberstalking, online harassment, privacy protection and safe internet use.
In addition, police plan to hold 5,000 awareness sessions for parents. These programmes will focus on helping families understand online risks and take practical steps to protect children while they use digital devices and social media platforms.
Faster response for complaints involving women and children
A key commitment under Operation Surakshit Cyberspace is preliminary police action within 24 hours for every cyber complaint involving women or children. The campaign includes defined duties for field officers, monitoring systems and performance indicators to ensure accountability.
The initiative follows the message: safety through awareness, investigation through technology, action through law and a safer Gujarat through public participation.
Gujarat Police said the operation is intended to build a more secure and inclusive digital ecosystem by bringing together technology, intelligence, public cooperation and proactive policing. The campaign also seeks to strengthen confidence in law enforcement while promoting responsible use of online services.