GUWAHATI, April 25 ? The Assam Police, under the Project Aashwas, will soon launch a baseline survey of the trauma and requirements of the families of the victims of terrorism. Police sources said that a reputed agency has already been engaged to carry out the survey and the project will be financed by the UNICEF. Sources pointed out that so far no scientific survey of the trauma and needs of the victims of terrorism was carried out in the State. The survey will take at least a year.
The second component of the project, that is training of police personnel and other officials to change their mindset, will also be launched all over the State shortly. Police sources revealed that a syllabus on community policing, human rights and other such aspects would be prepared and trainees of a professional agency would visit all corners of the State to impart training to policemen and other officials right down to the constable level to make them people-friendly. The police has already started a sensitisation campaign in remote areas of the State having a history of terrorism. In this campaign, local volunteers were engaged to assess the knowledge level and needs of the people. The sensitisation programme includes medical awareness campaigns, particularly among women and children with the help of prominent doctors of the State, street plays to create awareness among the people, psychiatric counselling to the family members of the victims of terrorism, appeals by eminent personalities of the State to create violence-free atmosphere, assessment of the standard of the schools, quality of education, quiz competition among the children, etc.
The sensitisation programme was launched in the month of January in seven villages in Rangiya and the second such programme was held in the river island of Majuli from April 8 to 12. The programme in Majuli also included a cycle rally for peace. The Assam police is planning to hold six such campaigns in remote areas in a year. A plan has also been chalked out to provide direct assistance to the children of the victims of terrorism till they reach the age of 18. Police sources said that a prominent non-government organisation of the country has come forward to finance the project and the Director General of Police, Sri HK Deka has already written to the superintendents of police of all the districts to collect necessary information in this regard.