'Sambal' Initiative in Madhya Pradesh: Police, Society, and NGOs Collaborate to Enhance Access to Justice

'Sambal' Initiative Launched to Improve Justice Access

Bhopal, September 8, 2026 – The Madhya Pradesh Police organized a one-day state-level conference in Bhopal today under the 'Sambal' initiative. The primary objective of this program is to enhance access to justice and security for all segments of society. The conference, jointly organized by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Community Policing Wing, focused on 'Justice Accessibility, Social Work, and Community Police Participation'.

The overarching goal is to establish sustainable coordination among the police, civil society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), legal services, and educational institutions. This collaboration aims to make the justice process more accessible and effective, particularly for women, children, and crime victims. The inaugural session, held at the Golden Jubilee Auditorium of the R.C.V.P. Noronha Academy of Administration and Management, was graced by Special Director General of Police, CID, Mr. Pankaj Shrivastava as the chief guest.

Distinguished guests present included Commissioner of the Higher Education Department, Mr. Prabhal Shipra, Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Ms. Suman Shrivastava, legal expert Mrs. Rachna Tyagi, Prof. Sarika Sinha from KODI Institute, Canada, Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Women's Commission, Mr. Suresh Tomar, Police Commissioner of Bhopal, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, and Deputy Inspector General, Community Policing, Dr. Vineet Kapoor.

Police-NGO Coordination Empowers Vulnerable Groups

In his address, Mr. Pankaj Shrivastava emphasized the importance of community policing as an integral part of police operations and underscored the need for a lasting institutional coordination mechanism between the police and NGOs. He mentioned that a list of active NGOs in the state was provided to police units following the 'Sambal' conference held in March 2026.

This collaboration will ensure that individuals in need, including women, children, the elderly, and those with mental or physical disabilities, receive essential support such as shelter, treatment, and rehabilitation alongside police action. Mr. Shrivastava highlighted the crucial role of NGOs as effective collaborators for the police in areas such as health, education, rehabilitation, women and child safety, and mental health. He cited NGOs' efforts in improving health and sanitation for women in Left-Wing Extremism-affected regions as a significant example of internal security and trust-building.

Emphasis on Community Participation

Police Commissioner, Urban Police Bhopal, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, highlighted the benefits of working collaboratively with the community. He stated that continuous dialogue and participation from the community provide the police with timely information on local issues like substance abuse, illegal liquor sales, unsafe spaces for women, or accident-prone areas, which can be effectively resolved with minimal effort.

Mr. Kumar stressed that community policing involves the collective efforts of police, citizens, civil society, and social organizations. This synergy helps in understanding ground-level problems, clearing misunderstandings, and making police services more effective.

Multi-Agency Model for Justice Accessibility

Deputy Inspector General, Dr. Vineet Kapoor, announced that nodal officers have been appointed in every district of the state to strengthen community policing. He expanded the concept of justice accessibility beyond just filing a crime report, linking it to crime prevention and timely assistance to victims and those in need.

Dr. Kapoor referred to the roles of support persons, child care institutions, and social workers within the POCSO Act and the juvenile justice system. He also noted the effectiveness of recent campaigns like 'Safe Click' and 'Distance from Drugs is Necessary' in raising social awareness and cautioning against the ill effects of crime and substance abuse, owing to the active participation of Gram Raksha Samitis (Village Defense Committees), NGOs, and various police divisions.

Legal Awareness and Right to Assistance

Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority, Ms. Suman Shrivastava, emphasized the legal right to assistance for every citizen, stressing the need to make it simple, accessible, and timely for those in need. She highlighted the importance of better coordination between the police and legal service institutions for victims.

Legal expert Mrs. Rachna Tyagi underscored the importance of legal knowledge and awareness of rights as crucial links to justice accessibility, advocating for the expansion of public awareness and legal literacy. Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Women's Commission, Mr. Suresh Tomar, stressed the necessity of coordination among the police, Women's Commission, social organizations, and other departments in matters of women's safety to provide victims with support and guidance throughout the legal process.

Panel Discussions Showcase Ground-Level Experiences

The conference featured two main panel discussions. The first panel addressed 'Participation and Challenges of Non-Governmental Organizations in Community Safety and Justice Sector—with a Special Focus on Women and Child Safety'. Discussions emphasized the role of NGOs in preventing crimes against women and children, providing legal aid to victims, offering psychosocial support, rehabilitation, and ensuring timely justice.

The second panel deliberated on 'Multi-Agency Working for Justice Accessibility—Nature, Prospects, and Public Dialogue'. This session focused on strengthening multi-agency coordination among the police, legal services authority, prosecution, administration, women and child development department, health department, and civil society, and on simplifying the path to justice through public engagement.

Towards a Shared Action Plan

Based on suggestions from various sessions and open discussions, an effort will be made to develop a shared action plan. The objective is to further enhance coordination among the police, judicial/legal institutions, administration, social organizations, and the community. The ultimate aim is to provide better assistance to crime victims, ensure easier access to justice for citizens, strengthen women and child safety, and foster trust and participation between the police and the community.

This endeavor under the 'Sambal' initiative aims to develop a system grounded in active community participation, rather than viewing security and the justice system as merely institutional processes.