Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 31 August 2024
In a significant step towards enhancing community safety, Police Station Ograbraj, under the South Andaman District, organised an extensive awareness program aimed at educating the public on critical issues such as criminal laws, drug abuse, cybercrime, the POCSO Act 2012, and traffic violations. The initiative was designed to foster a safer and more informed community, with experts from various units leading informative sessions.
The awareness program was held on August 31, 2024, at the Community Hall in Tushnabad. The event was led by SI Devanand Pathak, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Ograbraj, in collaboration with Mr. Anand Amrit Raj, Pradhan of GP Tushnabad. The program also saw active participation from other Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI) Members and dedicated teams from the Anti-Narcotics Police Station, Cybercrime Police Station, Traffic Unit, and the Police Entertainment Team (PET). Over 60 students and local residents attended the session.
Inspector Pritam Behari, SHO of the Anti-Narcotics Police Station, along with SI Rahil Islam, kicked off the program by educating the attendees on the dangers of drug abuse. The session included a skit performed by the Police Entertainment Team, which highlighted real-life scenarios to underscore the severe consequences of drug use.
Following this, SI Agnes Bartholoma, the Juvenile Welfare Officer of Police Station Ograbraj, provided an in-depth overview of the POCSO Act 2012. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding children from sexual offences and explained the key provisions of the Act, making it clear how the community can play a role in protecting its youngest members.
Cybercrime was another focal point of the program. PC Wilson Toppo from the Cybercrime Police Station informed the audience about various forms of cybercrime, offering practical advice on how to report such incidents and protect themselves online. This segment was further enriched by a drama staged by the Police Entertainment Team, which vividly depicted the risks of cybercrime and the measures individuals can take to avoid falling victim to online threats.
Traffic safety was also a key topic during the session. ASI Pal Murugan from the Traffic Unit sensitized the participants about the importance of following traffic rules to prevent accidents, highlighting the need for road safety awareness.
The program concluded with an engaging demonstration by Mr. Anand Amrit Raj, who underscored the importance of physical fitness and self-defence. He presented a brief act on martial arts and self-defence techniques, encouraging attendees to stay fit and learn how to protect themselves when necessary.
The event received widespread appreciation from both local authorities and the general public.
The awareness program was conducted under the supervision of Mr. Brij Mohan Meena, DANIPS SDPO Bambooflat, and was held under the overall command of Ms. Niharika Bhatt, IPS, SP (D) South Andaman.