Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar unveiled the "Panch Shakti" initiative in Baramati on October 3.

This five-tier safety program aims to protect women, children, and the general public, focusing primarily on Baramati, his Assembly constituency. The move comes just days after a shocking incident where a 12th-grade student was stabbed to death by two minors at the TC college in Baramati.

The "Panch Shakti" initiative introduces multiple safety measures, including the launch of a dedicated helpline, Shakti Number (9209394917), under the tagline "One Call, Problem Solved."

This helpline will provide immediate support and assistance for any safety-related issue, available 24/7 to residents of Baramati.

Ajit Pawar, while addressing the public, emphasized that the initiative aims to create a secure environment for women and children, ensuring that they feel safe at home, in schools, and in public spaces. He added that Baramati Police would be responsible for implementing the initiative, with programs focused on youth safety.

One of the key elements of "Panch Shakti" is the installation of 'Shakti Boxes'—complaint boxes that will be placed in schools, colleges, business establishments, banks, government offices, ST bus stands, and coaching centers. These boxes will offer a safe and discreet way for women and girls to report incidents of harassment or molestation.

Additionally, "Shakti Cells" will be established at police stations, where two female officers will be present to handle women’s complaints, ensuring that victims feel comfortable reporting incidents.

The initiative also includes "Shakti Nazar," a special task force that will monitor offensive and harmful content on social media platforms to prevent online harassment and bullying.

Ajit Pawar further announced that under the ongoing "Shakti Bhet" program, dedicated teams would visit schools, colleges, and other institutions to conduct awareness sessions on topics related to women’s and children's safety.