Lucknow: Marking the start of Navratri, Lucknow police on Sunday launched the sixth phase of Mission Shakti, a 10-day citywide campaign that will combine awareness drives with intensified enforcement against offenders targeting women and girls.The campaign opened with a large awareness march from Police Lines to the GPO, led by women police personnel and joined by representatives from the Home Guards, PRD, health and education departments. Through public outreach programmes, police aim to strengthen awareness on women’s rights, cyber safety, road safety and measures to prevent child marriage.Police commissioner Tarun Gauba said on the directions of CM Yogi Adityanath, Mission Shakti would focus on ensuring women’s safety, dignity and empowerment while also sending a strong message to offenders. He said the initiative, being conducted under the direction of the state govt, seeks to create a safer environment for women through both community participation and firm policing.As part of the campaign, police teams will conduct awareness programmes across schools, colleges, public spaces and community centres. Women who have displayed exceptional courage or achieved distinction in their fields will also be felicitated during the drive.A key focus of the campaign will be strengthening support mechanisms through Pink Booths and Mission Shakti centres, which provide assistance and safety-related information to women. Police will also run cybercrime awareness sessions, educating women and girls about online fraud, digital harassment and safe internet practices.Alongside outreach efforts, enforcement measures will be stepped up across the city. Gauba said anti-romeo squads would continue action against those harassing women in public places, while strict legal action would be taken against individuals involved in crimes against women.Urging women not to stay silent in the face of harassment or threats, Gauba appealed to them to use police helplines and seek timely assistance. The twin focus of the campaign, he said, is clear: empower women through awareness and ensure swift action against those who threaten their safety.
