Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav launches ‘Saanjh Rahat Project’ to support victims of domestic violence

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday launched the ‘Saanjh Rahat Project’— aimed at identifying and supporting victims of domestic violence, providing essential psycho-social-legal aid to empower them and enable them to lead violence-free lives. It will play a crucial role in connecting victims with necessary resources and services.

The project is a collaborative initiative between Punjab Police’s Community Affairs Division (CAD) and Nai Shuruwat, an Indore-based NGO focused on women's empowerment. Key partners of this project include the Health Department, Department of Social Security and, Women and Child Development, State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority.

Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul graced the occasion as the guest of honour.

DGP Gaurav Yadav, while launching the project from Punjab Police Officer’s Institute, said initially, the project will be initiated at Civil Hospital, SAS Nagar, as a pilot programme and will eventually expanded statewide.

He said the initiative will empower women to make informed decisions for a violence-free life. Two dedicated counsellors have been stationed at the Civil Hospital to identify and support victims of domestic violence, he added.

Special DGP Gurpreet Kaur Deo said this project will help in providing support to the victims of domestic violence and to further build a network of organisations and individuals for need-based support.

A detailed presentation regarding the background and concept of the project was given by NGO trustee Amulya Nidhi. Renowned experts, including Jaya Velankar, Dr Rangoli Gupta and Shailaja Aralkar, also led sessions on critical topics.

The launch event was attended by Director Principal Medical College, SAS Nagar, Dr Bhavneet Bharti, Psychiatrist of Civil Hospital, SAS Nagar, Dr Mantaj Kaur and others.

A sensitisation training programme for women police officials of SAS Nagar was also held on Thursday, while, a similar technical session is being held on Friday for women police officials and SHOs of Rupnagar and Fatehgarh Sahib.