Uttar Pradesh has taken another bold step toward women’s safety, dignity, and empowerment with the launch of Mission Shakti 5.0 on 22 September 2025. Coinciding with Sharadiya Navratri, the fifth phase of this transformative campaign underscores Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of a secure and inclusive state for women. The month-long initiative seeks to create a social environment where women can live and work fearlessly, supported by strong law enforcement, community involvement, and institutional backing.

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Strengthening Policing and Visibility

At the core of Mission Shakti 5.0 lies an enhanced policing framework. The Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified foot patrols and activated all PRV-112 vehicles to ensure a visible, round-the-clock presence in both urban and rural areas. Senior officers are actively participating in field visits, joining patrols, and directly engaging with the public to establish trust and transparency. This hands-on approach not only deters crime but also reassures citizens, particularly women, about their safety in public spaces.

The women’s helpline number 1090 continues to operate as a vital support channel, ensuring that calls for help are promptly addressed. The helpline, already recognized for its effectiveness in previous phases, remains an integral part of the government’s commitment to quick and compassionate response mechanisms.

Empowering Women Police Force

A remarkable highlight of Mission Shakti 5.0 is the extensive deployment of women police personnel. Over 44,000 female officers have been assigned duties across 57,000 village panchayats and 14,000 urban wards. Their mission goes beyond maintaining order—they actively visit communities to educate women about their rights, laws that protect them, and various welfare schemes available under the state and central governments.

These officers also play a crucial role during festive gatherings, ensuring safe environments at temples, markets, and cultural events. The strengthened Anti-Romeo Squad, now reinforced with women police personnel, works diligently to prevent harassment and ensure public spaces remain secure and respectful for women and girls.

Raising Awareness and Expanding Legal Aid

Mission Shakti 5.0 goes beyond policing by focusing equally on awareness and education. Schools and colleges across Uttar Pradesh are screening short films on women’s safety, gender equality, and legal rights. These visual campaigns encourage young minds to challenge stereotypes, report crimes, and build a culture of respect and equality.

Additionally, women in prisons are being provided with legal aid to ensure their rights are upheld. This marks a significant step toward gender justice, recognizing that empowerment must reach every section of society. Municipal corporations have also set up Pink Booths, offering comprehensive support services from counseling to police assistance under one roof.

District-level programmes further amplify this outreach, bringing together community groups, NGOs, and local leaders to promote collective responsibility for women’s welfare. These coordinated efforts strengthen grassroots engagement, ensuring that the message of empowerment resonates across every village and town.

Swift Justice and Accountability

A defining feature of Mission Shakti 5.0 is its uncompromising stance against offenders. The Anti-Romeo Squad has been granted expanded powers to act swiftly against harassment, assault, and other crimes targeting women. The campaign emphasizes sensitivity in enforcement focusing strictly on genuine offenders while ensuring fairness and due process.

Fast-tracked trials and enhanced legal aid aim to deliver timely justice to victims of gender-based crimes. The government’s zero-tolerance approach sends a strong message that crimes against women will not be overlooked or delayed in the legal system.

Achievements from Earlier Phases

The success of Mission Shakti’s earlier phases provides a strong foundation for the current campaign. In the previous phase, over 3.44 lakh programmes were conducted, reaching more than 2.03 crore women across Uttar Pradesh. Over 27,000 women police personnel were deployed to ensure safety and outreach.

These operations were not limited to awareness they delivered tangible results in law enforcement. Thousands of arrests were made in cases related to cybercrime, drug offences, and child exploitation. The state’s initiatives such as the Women Helpline 1090 and Pink Booths became models for other states, reflecting Uttar Pradesh’s leadership in gender-focused governance.

Special Operations Driving the Mission

Mission Shakti 5.0 incorporates several targeted operations aimed at addressing different aspects of women’s safety and community protection:

Operation Garuda: Focused on tracking and arresting cybercriminals preying on women and minors.
Operation Bachpan: Successfully rescued 2,857 children and arrested 22 criminals, highlighting the state’s commitment to child safety.
Operation Majnu: Acted against over 74,000 individuals involved in harassment and unlawful activities.
Operation Nasha Mukti: Tackled drug-related offences, leading to more than 40,000 arrests.
Operation Raksha: Targeted illegal activities in hotels and pubs, ensuring safety in public entertainment venues.
Operation Eagle: Resulted in over 7,000 arrests, strengthening the state’s crackdown on habitual offenders.

These operations showcase the comprehensive scope of Mission Shakti 5.0, combining proactive policing, social reform, and awareness to address the multifaceted challenges faced by women.

Tracking Progress Through Technology

Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a national leader in case management and investigation efficiency. The state records a 98.80% case disposal rate on the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offenses (ITSSO) portal the highest in India. This reflects a robust coordination between law enforcement agencies, judicial bodies, and government departments.

By combining technology-driven tracking with community participation, Mission Shakti 5.0 ensures that each case receives attention, follow-up, and accountability.

A Model for the Nation

Mission Shakti 5.0 exemplifies a holistic approach to women’s empowerment balancing safety, education, and justice with social participation. Its success lies in the collaboration between the police, administration, civil society, and citizens.

As the campaign continues through the festive season, it symbolizes more than just a safety initiative; it represents a societal transformation in progress. Uttar Pradesh’s Mission Shakti is no longer just a programme it is a movement toward equality, security, and dignity for every woman in the state.