The Hassan district police have launched an initiative to install complaint and suggestion boxes in schools across the district, giving children a discreet channel to report crimes, seek help, or share suggestions. In the first phase, such boxes will be placed in 51 government schools.

M.B. Boralingaiah, Inspector-General of Police, Southern Range, launched the initiative by formally handing over the boxes at the office of the Superintendent of Police, Hassan, on Tuesday. A similar programme is already operational in Chamarajanagar district.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Boralingaiah said the initiative was part of efforts to promote people-friendly policing. “The boxes will be placed in schools in rural areas. Students can drop in complaints about any crime, illegal activity, or suggestions. The jurisdictional inspector will hold the keys, and a designated official will open the box once every 15 days and take necessary action based on the information received,” he said.

He said children in rural areas often face difficulties in reaching out to authorities, and the boxes would give them a safe and accessible way to flag concerns. Students could use them to report child marriages, sexual assault, domestic violence, or any issue affecting their education. The police would make efforts to act on every complaint, he added.

Superintendent of Police Shubhanwita, Additional Superintendent of Police M.K. Thammaiah, and Deputy Director of Public Instruction K.N. Balaram were present.