Date:16/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031617240200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

HopeZero launched

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: An organisation to provide hope and support to passive victims who come to police stations was launched by Greater Chennai Police Commissioner R. Nataraj on Monday.

Organisers said HopeZero would bring together police, student volunteers, banks and other service organisations to help people in and around a particular station.

Co-founder Ramesh Chandra Vidya Sagar said the beneficiaries could be the wife, seeking reprieve from her drunken husband who beats her up. "Other than the legal action, we will take efforts to provide livelihood for such passive victims and also help their children with education."

National Service Scheme volunteers and non-governmental organisation SMILE are some of the participants who would assist the police team headed by the Inspector of a particular station. The Commissioner urged the organisers to take up more issues.

Additional Commissioner of Police T.K. Rajendran welcomed the gathering.