Gandhinagar: In a major initiative to strengthen digital safety and combat cybercrime, the Gujarat Police have launched ‘Operation Surakshit Cyberspace’, a 28-day statewide campaign aimed at protecting women and children from online threats through awareness, victim outreach, technology-driven policing and coordinated enforcement.
The campaign commenced on July 1 and will continue until July 28, bringing together law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, financial organisations and community stakeholders to create a safer digital ecosystem across the state.
With a strong emphasis on prevention, awareness and swift police response, the initiative seeks to curb cyberstalking, online exploitation, financial fraud, identity theft and other cyber-enabled crimes.
Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent Cybercrime
According to Gujarat Police, the campaign has been designed to reduce cybercrime through proactive intervention, public awareness and prompt action on complaints.
The initiative combines preventive policing with community participation, ensuring that potential victims are identified early and provided timely assistance.
Police personnel across the state have been instructed to verify cybercrime alerts, identify individuals at risk, extend immediate support to victims and ensure rapid action on reported incidents.
ADGP Ajay Choudhary Highlights Campaign Objectives
Speaking about the initiative, Ajay Choudhary, Additional Director General of Police (CID Crime – Women Cell), said the campaign focuses on creating a secure digital environment where women and children can use online platforms without fear.
He said the operation specifically targets offences such as cyberstalking, online harassment, financial scams, identity theft, cyber exploitation and other forms of digital abuse.
According to Choudhary, technology-enabled policing combined with public awareness is essential to tackling the growing threat of cybercrime.
Statewide Awareness Drive
As part of the campaign, Gujarat Police will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Banks
- Telecom service providers
- Educational institutions
- Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs)
- Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Community leaders
Special awareness programmes will also be organised by SHE Teams and cybercrime police stations to educate women, children, parents and students about responsible online behaviour and cyber safety.
Officials said these outreach programmes aim to encourage citizens to recognise online threats, report suspicious activities and adopt safer digital practices.
Ambitious Targets for Cyber Safety
The month-long campaign has set several measurable goals to expand cyber awareness across Gujarat.
The Gujarat Police plan to:
- Educate 25 lakh citizens on cyber safety.
- Encourage 20 lakh students to take the Cyber Safety Pledge.
- Conduct awareness programmes in 10,000 schools.
- Organise cyber safety sessions in 1,500 colleges.
- Reach one lakh adolescent girls through dedicated awareness initiatives.
- Conduct 5,000 parental awareness programmes.
- Ensure preliminary police action within 24 hours for every cyber complaint involving women and children.
Officials believe these targets will significantly strengthen public awareness while improving trust in law enforcement’s response to cyber offences.
Technology-Driven Policing and Community Participation
The campaign follows the guiding slogan:
“Safety through awareness, investigation through technology, action through law, and a safer Gujarat through public participation.”
This reflects Gujarat Police’s strategy of combining digital investigation tools with active community engagement to prevent cybercrime and strengthen public confidence.
By integrating awareness programmes, victim support mechanisms and faster complaint redressal, the initiative seeks to build a safer online environment for vulnerable groups across the state.
Strengthening Digital Security
With cybercrime becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly against women and children, Gujarat Police view Operation Surakshit Cyberspace as an important step towards improving cyber resilience.
Officials said the campaign is expected to foster responsible digital behaviour, improve reporting of cyber offences and strengthen coordination among law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and civil society in ensuring safer cyberspace for all.
