Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi (PTI): The 'Nirbhaya Nisha' initiative of the Kerala police to ensure safety of women travelling at night will be implemented across the state on March 8 on the occasion of International Women's Day.

The initiative aims to ensure the safety of women while travelling at night for work, studies, medical treatment etc. by providing a quick police response to any problems faced by them between 9 pm to 5 am, a police release said on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan carried out the state-level inauguration of the scheme on February 24.

Under the initiative, real-time police assistance will be provided to women in emergency situations through the coordinated operation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), SOS button on the Pol-App, 112 helpline, district control rooms, highway patrol and pink patrol vehicles.

"The main objectives of the project are to ensure safe travel for women returning from night work, set up a rapid response system in emergency situations, strengthen police patrolling, and utilise technological systems such as control room monitoring and hotspot analysis," it said.

As part of implementation of the scheme, a women’s walk will be organised from Ernakulam Boat Jetty to Abdul Kalam Marg at 7 pm, the release said.

Additionally, a self-defense training programme for women, a musical event by the police orchestra, and brochure distribution about the project will also be held, it said.

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Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that the Congress government would complete its five-year term, while sidestepping questions on whether he personally would remain in office for the full duration.

Addressing reporters here, he maintained that decisions on the leadership would rest with the party high command and refrained from giving a direct answer on his own tenure.

“Our party will complete five years,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked if he would complete a full term as Chief Minister.

On the issue of leadership, he reiterated that the final call would be taken by the party leadership, saying, “The high command will decide. There’s no point asking the same thing again.”

Indicating his readiness to travel to the national capital if required, he said, “If I am called to Delhi, I will go,” adding that he would seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi if needed.

The talks on leadership change have intensified in the power corridor of the state where claims were made that Siddaramaiah would make way for his Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

The Chief Minister also underlined that recent by-election victories in Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly segment reflected public support for the government, stating that this clearly shows that people have appreciated the Congress government and its programmes.

The CM also dismissed the opposition’s claims, alleging they lacked strategy, and said local body elections would be conducted as per rules.