Gujarat Police Launches 28-Day ‘Operation Surakshit Cyberspace’ to Protect Women and Children from Online Crimes
In a major push to strengthen cyber security and make the internet safer for vulnerable users, the Gujarat Police have rolled out ‘Operation Surakshit Cyberspace’, a 28-day statewide campaign dedicated to protecting women and children from the growing threat of online crimes. The month-long initiative began on July 1 and will continue until July 28, bringing together law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, banks, telecom companies, community organisations and civil society to build a safer digital ecosystem across Gujarat.
At a time when cyber fraud, online harassment, identity theft and digital exploitation are becoming increasingly common, the campaign aims to tackle these threats through a combination of public awareness, technology-driven policing, victim support and quick enforcement action. The Gujarat Police believe that preventing cybercrime requires not just stronger investigations but also informed and vigilant citizens who know how to stay safe online.
Statewide Campaign Focuses on Prevention and Protection
According to Gujarat Police, Operation Surakshit Cyberspace has been carefully designed to reduce cyber offences by combining preventive policing with extensive public outreach and prompt response to complaints.
The campaign places equal importance on creating awareness and ensuring swift police intervention whenever cyber offences are reported. Officials say identifying potential victims early and extending timely assistance can significantly reduce the impact of cybercrime.
Police units across Gujarat have been directed to actively verify cyber alerts, identify individuals who may be at risk, provide immediate support to victims and ensure that complaints receive prompt attention without unnecessary delays.
The initiative also aims to strengthen coordination between various departments so that cybercrime investigations become faster, more efficient and more victim-friendly.
Campaign Targets Wide Range of Cyber Offences
The campaign addresses several forms of online crime that have witnessed a steady rise in recent years.
Among the offences being specifically targeted are cyberstalking, online harassment, cyberbullying, identity theft, financial fraud, digital blackmail, online exploitation, fake social media profiles, phishing attacks and other cyber-enabled crimes that disproportionately affect women and children.
Officials believe that educating people about these threats is one of the most effective ways to prevent them before they occur.
ADGP Ajay Choudhary Explains the Vision Behind the Initiative
Speaking about the campaign, Ajay Choudhary, Additional Director General of Police (CID Crime – Women Cell), said the primary objective is to create an online environment where women and children can use digital platforms with confidence and without fear.
He explained that the operation is designed to tackle cyberstalking, online abuse, financial scams, identity theft and other emerging forms of cybercrime through a combination of awareness campaigns and technology-enabled policing.
According to Choudhary, cybercriminals constantly adopt new methods, making it essential for both law enforcement agencies and citizens to stay updated. He emphasised that public awareness and modern investigative techniques must work together to effectively combat cyber threats.
Massive Public Awareness Drive Across Gujarat
A major highlight of Operation Surakshit Cyberspace is its extensive public awareness programme, which will be carried out across urban and rural areas of the state.
To maximise its reach, Gujarat Police will collaborate with a broad network of stakeholders, including:
Banks
Telecom service providers
Educational institutions
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs)
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
Community leaders and local representatives
Through these partnerships, the campaign aims to spread practical cyber safety knowledge among people from different age groups and backgrounds.
Officials believe that community participation will play a crucial role in building a secure digital environment where citizens actively report suspicious activities and help prevent cybercrime.
SHE Teams and Cyber Police to Lead Awareness Programmes
As part of the campaign, Gujarat Police’s SHE Teams and specialised cybercrime police stations will conduct awareness sessions throughout the state.
These programmes will focus on educating women, school students, college students, parents and children about safe internet usage, responsible social media behaviour, digital privacy, recognising cyber fraud and reporting online offences.
Participants will also receive guidance on protecting personal information, avoiding financial scams, identifying fake websites and responding safely to suspicious online activities.
Officials hope these awareness drives will encourage more victims to report cyber offences instead of remaining silent due to fear or lack of information.
Ambitious Targets Set for the 28-Day Campaign
To ensure measurable outcomes, Gujarat Police have set several ambitious goals for Operation Surakshit Cyberspace.
During the campaign, the department plans to:
Educate nearly 25 lakh citizens about cyber safety and online security.
Encourage around 20 lakh students to take the Cyber Safety Pledge.
Organise awareness programmes in approximately 10,000 schools across Gujarat.
Conduct cyber safety workshops in nearly 1,500 colleges.
Reach around one lakh adolescent girls through dedicated awareness initiatives.
Hold nearly 5,000 awareness sessions for parents to help them protect children from online threats.
Ensure that every cyber complaint involving women and children receives preliminary police action within 24 hours.
Police officials believe achieving these targets will significantly improve cyber awareness while strengthening public confidence in the state’s cybercrime response mechanism.
Technology and Public Participation at the Core
The campaign is built around the guiding slogan:
“Safety through awareness, investigation through technology, action through law, and a safer Gujarat through public participation.”
The slogan reflects Gujarat Police’s broader strategy of combining advanced digital investigation tools with active citizen participation.
Officials say technology alone cannot eliminate cybercrime unless people are aware of common online threats and take preventive measures in their daily digital activities.
The campaign therefore seeks to create a partnership between the police and the public, encouraging citizens to remain alert, report suspicious behaviour and support law enforcement efforts.
Faster Police Response to Victims
One of the key features of Operation Surakshit Cyberspace is its emphasis on providing quicker assistance to victims.
Police personnel have been instructed to respond rapidly to complaints involving women and children, verify cyber alerts without delay and initiate preliminary action within 24 hours wherever possible.
This victim-centric approach aims to reduce financial losses, prevent further exploitation and increase trust in the police response system.
Officials believe that prompt intervention can often stop cybercriminals before they cause greater harm.
Building a Safer Digital Future
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and digital platforms playing a larger role in everyday life, Gujarat Police see Operation Surakshit Cyberspace as an important step towards strengthening cyber resilience across the state.
By combining awareness campaigns, advanced investigation techniques, faster complaint handling and strong community partnerships, the initiative aims to create a safer online environment where women, children and families can use digital services with greater confidence.
Police officials are optimistic that the campaign will not only improve cyber safety awareness but also encourage responsible online behaviour, increase reporting of cyber offences and deepen cooperation between law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, financial organisations and civil society in protecting citizens from evolving digital threats.
