Partners in safety: HPU, police collaborate for a secure future

Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari on Monday urged students of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) to act as the “eyes and ears” of society and play a proactive role in curbing drug abuse and cybercrime.

He was addressing a drug abuse awareness campaign jointly organised by the Himachal Pradesh Police and HPU. The campaign aimed to sensitise students about the dangers of drug addiction, cyber threats and the legal protections available.

Prof Mamta Mokta, Dean Students’ Welfare, coordinated the event and extended a warm welcome to the DGP and other police officials present.

In his address, Tewari advised students to remain vigilant, observe their surroundings and promptly report any suspicious activity to helpline numbers 112 and 1930 or the nearest police station. He also spoke about the growing risks of cybercrime, explaining preventive measures and available support systems.

Highlighting state initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the DGP said the police department is focusing on awareness campaigns, rehabilitation and counselling, strengthened law enforcement, technological interventions, community and youth participation and policy-level collaborations to tackle drug abuse and cybercrime effectively. Tewari also interacted with students individually, addressing their doubts and clarifying the various measures taken by the police.

In a bid to make HP Police a leading force in cyber security, the HPU has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state police to provide academic and technical support.

The collaboration will focus on research and development in artificial intelligence, cyber security, cyber forensics and capacity building. It aims to expose students to police functioning through internships, while enabling police officers to benefit from applied research, training workshops and knowledge exchange.

Both sides will work on data analytics for evidence-based policing, predictive models for crime trends and social network analysis to map criminal networks. HPU will also assist in designing curricula and training protocols for cyber investigations.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Mahavir Singh said the partnership will not only enhance police capabilities but also foster innovation and research opportunities for students and faculty.