In a significant push for community safety and legal literacy, the Chandigarh Police has reported remarkable outreach through its flagship Samavesh initiative throughout 2025. The comprehensive effort saw the force conduct a staggering over 1,400 awareness programmes, successfully engaging and educating more than 61,000 residents across the union territory.
Empowering Vulnerable Groups and Curbing Menaces
The drives were strategically designed to empower key demographic groups—women, children, senior citizens, and youth—on a range of critical safety and legal issues. These included in-depth sessions on cyber security, human trafficking, and the newly enacted criminal laws. To ensure wide accessibility, police teams organized these interactive sessions in diverse public spaces like schools, colleges, parks, and residential colonies.
A major focus was on women's security. The police organized 162 specialised self-defence camps for women and girls, imparting practical training to 9,255 participants. These camps equipped them with skills to handle real-world threats such as chain snatching, eve-teasing, and physical assault.
For the elderly, a personalised safety net was created. Personnel from local police stations made 9,590 preventive visits to the homes of senior citizens. They were meticulously categorised based on their living situation: those living alone, couples living alone, and those with family. A digital e-Beat Book now maintains a dedicated database of senior citizens living alone for regular monitoring and swift assistance.
Combating Drugs and Implementing New Laws
The fight against narcotics was intensified under the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The Chandigarh Police held 305 anti-drug awareness camps, spreading the message to 14,770 people. The campaign's creativity was evident during Dussehra celebrations, where effigies of Ravana carried prominent messages promoting a drug-free India.
With the introduction of new criminal legislation, the police undertook the crucial task of public education. They conducted 137 targeted campaigns to familiarise citizens with the provisions of the three new laws, notably the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. This proactive approach translated into action, with police securing swift convictions in cases of public drinking and nuisance under the BNS. In a reformative step, some offenders were sentenced to perform community service at gaushalas and old-age homes.
Cyber Swachhta Mission and Overall Impact
Recognising the digital threat landscape, the Cyber Swachhta Mission formed a core component of Samavesh. A total of 98 sessions in educational institutions educated 24,751 students on safe online practices. Beyond campuses, 153 cyber safety lectures reached 26,221 general citizens, and door-to-door campaigns specifically enlightened 1,575 senior citizens on digital risks.
The sheer scale of the Samavesh initiative is reflected in its final tally for 2025. Beyond the key areas mentioned, the police also conducted programs on domestic violence awareness (reaching 5,410 people), child abuse and gender sensitization (7,059 attendees), and held meetings with Resident Welfare and Market Welfare associations (3,262 attendees). In total, 1,429 distinct campaigns engaged 61,415 citizens, marking a year of substantial proactive policing and community partnership in Chandigarh.
