Over 2.31 Lakh Complaints Registered at Punjab Police Women Help Desks
The Women Help Desks established by the Punjab Police have received an overwhelming response across the state, with a total of 2,31,677 complaints related to crimes against women and children registered through these help desks. The state police has set up Women Help Desks in all 424 police stations, including 39 Special Purpose Police Stations.
PGD Portal and Mahila Mittar Deployment
Through the Punjab Grievance Disposal (PGD) Portal, as many as 1,33,152 complaints relating to crimes against women and children were received between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026. Of these, 99,692 complaints (74.8%) were assigned to and handled by Punjab Police Mahila Mittars (PPMMs).
Recently, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann approved a fleet of 93 electric scooters for women police personnel deployed under the Mahila Mittar initiative and Women Help Desks across the state. The electric scooters were flagged off by Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav. The initiative aims to enable the personnel to reach every corner of the state and address the grievances of women and children more efficiently.
DGP Gaurav Yadav on the Impact
Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav stated, "The initiative has significantly improved accessibility, ensured gender-sensitive policing, strengthened public confidence and enabled timely intervention in cases involving vulnerable sections of society. These Women Help Desks have transformed police stations into more approachable spaces for women. Across all 424 police stations, a total of 848 PPMMs have been deployed, reflecting the growing trust in Punjab Police. Punjab Police has adopted a comprehensive, community-oriented approach to strengthen women’s safety through the establishment of these Women Help Desks in every police station across the state."
Background and Specialized Mechanisms
Prior to the introduction of Women Help Desks, complaints relating to women and children were primarily handled by male police personnel. To create a more accessible, empathetic and victim-centric environment, Punjab Police launched the PPMM Project in 2021. Under this initiative, a total of 848 women PPMMs have been deployed exclusively to address complaints relating to women, children and senior citizens.
In addition, Punjab Police currently operates 10 women police stations and 15 women cells across the state, providing specialised mechanisms for addressing offences against women. These institutions offer a supportive and confidential environment where women can report crimes and seek assistance without hesitation. Staffed by trained women police personnel, they facilitate the sensitive handling of complaints, counselling, legal guidance and coordinated support services.
"The presence of dedicated women officers has significantly improved victims’ confidence in approaching the police, leading to greater reporting of gender-based crimes and more effective victim assistance," added DGP Gaurav Yadav.
Assessment and Partnerships
Punjab Police has not only established Women Help Desks in every police station but has also initiated an assessment exercise to evaluate their utility and impact in partnership with NGOs J-PAL and Hartek Foundation. "The help desks have helped the police bridge the gap between the community and the police and have given victims the confidence that they will receive police assistance from well-trained, empathetic women police officers," said Gurpreet Deo, SDG, Community and Women Affairs.
