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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Mangaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday expressed confidence that the Congress government would return to power in the state in 2028.

He asserted that the five guarantee schemes introduced in 2023 have become a model for empowering the underprivileged, women, the unemployed and economically weaker sections, not just in the state but in the entire country.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a Kambala event at Muduru-Paduru in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, he said the welfare measures reflected the vision of the Congress government to strengthen social and economic democracy.

"The five guarantees were introduced with the sole objective of empowering the poor, marginalised and weaker sections of society. These schemes have now become a model for ensuring social and economic justice," he said.

Siddaramaiah said democracy should not remain confined to political representation alone but must also ensure social and economic empowerment.

"A democracy that is only political has little meaning unless it is socially and economically vibrant," he said, adding that the state government was working towards that goal.

The CM also praised senior Congress leader and former minister B Ramanath Rai, who organised the event, describing him as one of the most honest leaders and recalling his role in bringing developmental works worth about Rs 5,000 crore to the constituency during his tenure as MLA and minister.

Despite his contributions, Rai had lost the Assembly election from Bantwal, Siddaramaiah said, expressing hope that he would contest again from the constituency in 2028 and secure victory.

He also lauded the people of the coastal region for preserving traditional cultural practices and organising Kambala races, terming the slush track buffalo race a popular folk sport of the state.