PASIGHAT, Nov 12: In a significant step towards safeguarding children and fostering a stronger bond between students and law enforcement, the East Siang Police on Wednesday announced the launch of “Project Muskaan,” a dedicated child safety initiative aimed at creating a secure, friendly, and responsive environment for children both in schools and at home.
The initiative was unveiled during a press briefing held at the office of the Superintendent of Police, East Siang, where SP Pankaj Lamba, IPS, highlighted that the project seeks to strengthen awareness and preventive mechanisms against child abuse, bullying, online exploitation, and emotional distress among school children.
Recognizing that children are the most valuable yet vulnerable members of society, the SP emphasized that their safety and well-being depends on the joint efforts of families, schools, and the larger community. He noted that while schools are intended to be nurturing environments, children sometimes face challenges such as bullying, corporal punishment, peer pressure, or even abuse from those in positions of trust. 
Under Project Muskaan, East Siang Police will conduct a series of interactive awareness sessions titled “Police Ki Pathshala” in schools across the district. These sessions—led by police officers affectionately referred to as “Police Aunty/Didi” or “Police Uncle/Bhaiya”—will use storytelling, role plays, and open discussions to educate students about good and bad touch, cyber safety, bullying prevention, and their rights under the POCSO Act. The initiative aims to reach five schools per week in each police station’s jurisdiction.
To ensure an effective and child-friendly reporting mechanism, the police has also set up dedicated helplines and will coordinate closely with school managements, Child Welfare Committees, and the District Child Protection Unit. Additionally, every school will have a confidential “Police Complaint Box” where students can safely report incidents of bullying, abuse, or distress. These boxes will be checked weekly by designated officers to ensure timely and sensitive follow-up.
Another unique feature of the project includes weekly visits by school groups to Ane’s Home—the Women Police Station’s child-friendly center in Pasighat—where students will learn about their rights and familiarize themselves with the supportive role of the police. The center, designed with a psychosocial counseling space and play area, aims to help children view the police as protectors and allies.
To strengthen the implementation, the project also includes capacity-building programs for police personnel. Officers will undergo training on child psychology, empathy-based communication, and legal frameworks such as the POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. The goal, as emphasized by SP Lamba, is to ensure that every police station in East Siang has trained officers whom children can approach without fear.
“Project Muskaan,” true to its name, seeks to bring smiles to children’s faces by ensuring that every child in East Siang feels protected, respected, and heard—at school, at home, and online.
Among others,  SDPO Pasighat Dr. Akanksha Milind Tamgadge, IPS, DySP Ayup Boko, WPS Inspector Amum Panyang, and other officials attended the event.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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