20.2.19

112 gets going

Sixteen states and Union territories joined a pan-India network of single emergency helpline number ‘112’ on which immediate assistance can be sought by anyone in distress.

The 112 helpline is an integration of police (100), fire (101) and women (1090) helpline numbers. The health helpline (108) will be integrated with it soon.

Launching the ‘112’ helpline, under the Emergency Response Support System, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the central government is committed to the safety of citizens, particularly women, for whom laws were changed to ensure the guilty is punished in a time-bound manner.

The helpline number ‘112’ will be activated across the country by next year and anyone in distress can reach the helpline by pressing a single key of phones which will be pre-programmed,” he said.

The 16 states and UTs include Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman among others. The’ helpline has already been launched in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

To access emergency services, a person can dial ‘112’ on a phone or press the power button of a smart phone three times quickly to send a panic call to the Emergency Response Centre. The single number for emergency services is similar to ‘911’ in the United States.

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