MM: Mum. police launch campaign, helpline get help from citizens in fight against terror attacks

The Mumbai police on Tuesday launched a special helpline and a ‘Alert Mumbaikar’ campaign to involve citizens in their fight against terrorism.

The campaign was launched at Mumbai Police Gymkhana by Mumbai police commissioner Hasan Gafoor. Actor Shahid Kapur was present on the occasion to lend his support.

“If people inform us about suspicious objects and stay alert, fighting terrorism would become easier,” said Gafoor while launching the campaign.

   The ‘Alert Mumbaikar’ campaign seeks to encourage citizens to stay alert and be aware of suspicious objects or people and report such information to the police. The Mumbai police launched the helpline (9702100100) to support the campaign. They will now put up posters in trains, buses, malls and other public places to create awareness.

The campaign was launched with support of Idea Cellular.

WHY THE CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED

With the fight against terror intensifying across the country, the Mumbai police conducted a survey a month ago with Lintas advertising agency. According to the survey, while 70 per cent people were aware Mumbai is a possible terror target, of them, only three per cent said they were alert about any suspicious objects and would report such an object to the police. 

 “It is this gap between (79 per cent and 3 per cent) that we wish to bridge with the campaign and the launch of the helpline. If more people are alert about their surroundings, it will make the job easier for cops,” said Sanjeev Aga, managing director, Idea Cellular.

The survey also revealed that 87 per cent people thought they would never be the victim of a terror attack.

Only 10 per cent felt vulnerable to terror threats. “Mumbai has been a target as it is the financial capital of the country and a terrorist attack generates international media coverage. But if more and more people remain alert, it will go a long way in preventing possible terror attacks,” said Vinay Koregaonkar, additional commissioner of police, protection and security. 

Actor Shahid Kapur was present at the Mumbai police club to lend support to the campaign. “The cops are just asking us to keep our eyes and ears open. In the fight against terrorism, we should all take responsibility as it has to be a joint effort,” said Kapur.