The city police have rolled out an app to keep tabs on students bunking classes.
In the first phase, the scheme will cover educational institutions in the Mattanchery sub school division. The police will keep track of the movement of students in public places such as parks, cinemas, stadiums, railway stations, bus stands, byroads and liquor outlets under the scheme christened Student Care Project.
The parents of students found under suspicious circumstances will be informed.
Coordination
The police plan to network with traders, autorickshaw and taxi drivers and residents’ associations for tracking the students.
Around 20 schools in Mattanchery have installed the application, according to a communication.
The scheme will be extended to educational institutions in Ernakulam and Thrikkakara sub divisions.
Plainclothesmen and policemen will be deployed in various parts of the city as part of the monitoring. A 24x7 helpline will also be established and a woman police officer will be put in charge.
After school hours
The police also plan to identify students who are found at bus stands and railway stations one hour after the school time. Details of such students will be communicated to the educational institutions and parents. The scheme hopes to curb the use of narcotic substances and alcohol among students. It also plans to keep an eye on those who meet students during school timings and at intervals. Follow-up action will be taken if the visitors are found to have criminal antecedents, the communication adds.
Counselling
Students who are found consuming alcohol or hooked to narcotic substances will be provided medical aid and counselling. Awareness programmes will also be held for students. The circle inspector of the Coastal Police station, A. Ananthalal, will be the nodal officer of the project.
