Punjab Police launches Saanjh Rahat Kendra network to protect women

The Punjab Police has expanded its community‑policing initiative with "Saanjh Rahat Kendra" centres that offer immediate assistance, counseling and rehabilitation services to women facing domestic violence, harassment or family disputes. Four centres – in Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana and Jalandhar – began with two trained counselors each and now host a larger staff. In the past two years the centres screened 1,656 cases, formally recorded 1,069 incidents, and intervened in situations ranging from marital abuse threats to medical emergencies, even facilitating employment for survivors.

Police DGP Gaurav Yadav emphasised that the model builds trust between the force and the community, linking victims to legal aid, government schemes and emotional support. The programme is part of a broader Punjab Police outreach that includes a network of more than 530 "Saanjh" centres across the state, women‑help desks, and school‑based awareness drives that have reached millions of students and staff.

The initiative aims to provide a rapid, compassionate response to at‑risk women, strengthening public‑safety partnerships while promoting gender‑sensitive policing throughout Punjab.