New Delhi, February 18: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday will launch a new emergency number 112 for women and others in distress, as part of the government's various initiatives for women safety. Singh will launch the pan-India emergency number 112, under Emergency Response Support System, in 16 states. The government has also introduced the '112 India Mobile App' for making a distress call.

Under the Emergency Response Support System, a dedicated Emergency Response Centre (ERC) will be set up in all states. Each ERC will have a team of trained call-takers and dispatchers to handle emergency requests relating to assistance from police, fire and rescue, health and other emergency services. Police will monitor all calls made to the ERC. This service has already been launched in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Railways WhatsApp Helpline Number Receives More Forwards and Friendship Day Messages Than Complaints.

A person in distress may use the following methods to access emergency services:

  • Dial 112 from mobile phone.

  • Press power button on smartphone 3 times quickly to activate the panic call to ERC.

  • In case of a feature phone, a long press of “5” or “9” key on the phone will activate the panic call.

  • Log onto ERSS website for the State and lodge emergency.

  • Email SOS alert to State ERC.

  • Use 112 India Mobile App, which is available free on Google Play Store and Apple store.

Singh will also launch the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) tomorrow. The ITSSO is meant for Law Enforcement Agencies in the country. The Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO)  is an online module available to law enforcement agencies at all levels- National, State, District and Police Station that allows State to undertake real-time monitoring and management for completion of investigation in rape cases in 2 months.

"It leverages the existing CCTNS database, which covers nearly 15000 police stations in the country. ITSSO would greatly strengthen States ability for analytics and prognosis for timely investigation and prosecution in rape cases," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

The government has also identified eight cities for implementation of safe city projects in the first phase at a cost of Rs 2,919 crore. The cities are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai. The projects are funded under the Nirbhaya Fund scheme.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 18, 2019 10:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).