In an effort to protect and empower young students, IPS Pankaj Lamba a 2019 batch Officer of AGMUT cadre and currently posted as Superintendent of Police, East Siang district has launched ‘Project Muskaan’. This Child safety initiative focuses on making children aware of issues like abuse, unsafe situations and how to report them.

Recognising that awareness is the first line of defence, Lamba’s initiative places schools at the centre. “We wanted to create awareness at the school level so that children understand what safety means and feel confident to speak up” he added. Additionally they have also roped in Chum Darang as the Child Safety Ambassador for Project Muskaan to increase awareness and dialogue.

Apart from extensive awareness, police teams regularly visit schools interacting with students across age groups. Adopting an age appropriate sensitisation, for younger children sessions revolve around identifying good touch and bad touch while older students are educated about the POCSO act, anti-ragging measures and cyber hygiene.

Under the programme complaint boxes have been installed in the schools, giving students a discreet way to report concerns and a safe channel to share what they are going through.

Under Lamba’s leadership, the outcome has been increased confidence among students towards police with some students coming forward to report incidents and cases registered accordingly.

So far, Project Muskaan has reached over 13,000 students ensuring children are aware, alert, and most importantly, not afraid to speak.