Chandigarh, June 13: The Punjab Police’s special DGP, Gurpreet Dev, announced that the ‘Youth Saanjh’ program has emerged as an effective social reform model in the state. He stated that the initiative has reached approximately 1,500 youths who were heading in the wrong direction for various reasons.
Launched in 2023, the primary aim of this program is to guide young people, connect them with education and skill development, and reintegrate them into the mainstream of society. Gurpreet emphasized that youth are the most vital resource of any society, as they shape the future of the nation and state.
The Punjab Police’s Community Affairs Division oversees this initiative, which operates through an established framework with 530 Saanjh centers across the state. These centers aim to provide the public easy access to police services, such as police verification, copies of FIRs, and other administrative documents.
According to Gurpreet Dev, citizens do not need to approach police stations or officers directly; they can access services through Saanjh centers. An online portal is also available, allowing people to benefit from various services from the comfort of their homes.
The ‘Youth Saanjh’ initiative has been restructured through these centers and their community committees. Each center has a community committee comprising local residents. By reactivating these committees, a Youth Saanjh committee has been formed to effectively reach out to young people.
Gurpreet noted that the police are not just limited to maintaining law and order but are also playing a leadership role in society. They can serve as crucial interveners in various social and economic issues. To this end, the police are coordinating with district administration, employment departments, and skill development institutions.
He highlighted that youth aged 15 to 25 are the most affected. At this age, they are easily influenced by social, digital, and external factors. Often, a weak family structure or lack of proper guidance leads them astray.
Gurpreet also pointed out the significant impact of social media on today’s youth. Many young individuals are drawn to harmful content, violent ideologies, or extremist beliefs. In such cases, the police do not intervene directly but work with the community and experts to guide and rehabilitate them.
Psychologists and mental health professionals are also involved in this process to understand the mental state of the youth and provide them with appropriate guidance. The goal is to reintegrate them into society through counseling.
So far, approximately 1,500 cases have been addressed, with successful counseling completed for around 1,200 youths. Many have been helped to overcome substance abuse, while others have been linked to employment and skill training opportunities. Some have even secured jobs.
Gurpreet clarified that mere counseling is not enough; employment and skill development are crucial. Without a means of livelihood, youths may revert to negative paths. Therefore, the Punjab Police is collaborating with the Skill Development Mission to connect youths with training and job opportunities.
He mentioned that some cases have been referred to the Skill Development Department to provide training based on the youths’ interests and abilities. About 39 cases have been sent to the Punjab Skill Development Mission, and work on these is ongoing.
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