Current Affairs

Keralam Police sets up 'Speak Up' task force against domestic violence

08-10-2026 · English

Keralam Police sets up 'Speak Up' task force against domestic violence

Topics: Governance · 8 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

Keralam Police set up a special task force, 'Speak Up', to prevent domestic violence and give survivors safety, legal aid, counselling and livelihood support (8 Oct 2026). On the State Home Department's order, Inspector General of Police Ajitha Begum heads it. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced it.

Key facts

Name'Speak Up' special task force
In chargeIGP Ajitha Begum IPS
AccessDigital helpline, WhatsApp, dedicated app; central command centre
FeaturesOne officer per case with weekly review; privacy; responding officers in plain clothes
Context92 women died of domestic violence in the past 7 years

Background

  • Name change: by the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act 2026, the State officially became 'Keralam' from 25 Aug 2026. The Lok Sabha passed it on 11 Aug and the Rajya Sabha on 12 Aug 2026.
  • Constitution: Article 3 empowers Parliament to form States and change their boundaries or names; it needs the President's recommendation and the State legislature's views (which are not binding).
  • Law: the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (in force 26 Oct 2006) – protection officers, protection orders, right to residence. Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 – cruelty by husband or relatives (formerly IPC 498A).
  • Helplines: 181 – women's helpline; 1091 – women's helpline (police); 112 – emergency.
  • History: India's first all-women police station opened at Kozhikode in 1973.

Tamil Nadu link: by the Madras State (Alteration of Name) Act 1968, Madras State became 'Tamil Nadu' from 14 January 1969 (CM C.N. Annadurai). Tamil Nadu's first all-women police station opened in Chennai in 1992.

Source: ETV Bharat, 8 Oct 2026; Onmanorama, Aug 2026

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