Gujarat Police have launched a 28-day statewide campaign, ‘Operation Surakshit Cyberspace’, to enhance online safety for women and children through technology-driven policing, cyber awareness initiatives, victim outreach and coordinated enforcement, officials said on Thursday.
The campaign, which commenced on July 1 and will run until July 28, aims to create a safer digital environment by combining intelligence-led policing with community engagement and preventive measures.
According to Gujarat Police, the initiative seeks to ensure that women and children feel as secure online as they do in public spaces while reducing the risk of cybercrime through early intervention and timely law enforcement action.
Additional Director General of Police (CID Crime-Women Cell) Ajay Choudhary said the campaign focuses on protecting groups that are increasingly vulnerable to cyber offences, including online exploitation, cyberstalking, financial fraud and identity theft.
“The objective of this operation is to strengthen public safety in the digital ecosystem, especially for women and children, who are increasingly becoming victims of online exploitation, cyberstalking, financial fraud, identity theft and other cyber-related crimes. Conducted under the guidance of DGP G.S. Malik, the campaign aims to proactively identify potential victims, prevent financial losses, improve cyber awareness and ensure timely police intervention through coordinated action at every level,” Choudhary said.
As part of the initiative, police personnel across the state have been tasked with identifying potential victims, verifying cybercrime alerts, counselling at-risk individuals, facilitating prompt reporting through the National Cyber Helpline, and ensuring swift registration and investigation of offences.
The campaign also emphasises field-level verification, victim outreach, and the use of cyber intelligence and analytical tools to identify threats and prevent offences before they escalate.
Gujarat Police will collaborate with banks, telecom service providers, educational institutions, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community leaders to expand cyber awareness and strengthen preventive measures.
Implementation at the local level will be led by SHE Teams and dedicated cybercrime police stations through awareness drives, community outreach programmes and targeted interventions aimed at helping women, children, parents, students and educational institutions recognise online threats and adopt safer digital practices.
The campaign operates under the slogan: “Safety through awareness, investigation through technology, action through law, and a safer Gujarat through public participation.”
Among its key targets, Gujarat Police aim to educate 25 lakh citizens on cyber safety and responsible digital behaviour, encourage 20 lakh students to take the Cyber Safety Pledge, conduct awareness programmes in 10,000 schools and 1,500 colleges, and reach one lakh adolescent girls with sessions on cyberstalking, online harassment, digital privacy and safe internet use.
Authorities also plan to organise 5,000 parental awareness sessions to help families protect children from online risks and have committed to ensuring preliminary police action within 24 hours of every cyber complaint involving women and children.
According to Gujarat Police, the initiative is designed to build a safer, more inclusive and trustworthy digital ecosystem by integrating intelligence, technology, public participation and proactive policing while promoting responsible digital behaviour and strengthening public confidence in law enforcement.
(With IANS inputs)
