Police will reach out to citizens across the state using voice SMSes to spread the word about online services available on its portal `www.samadhan.jhpolice.gov.in` launched about a year back under the digital initiative, Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS).

State police has decided to rope in the services of cellular operators to prepare and generate voice SMSes that are estimated to reach as many as five lakh mobile users. A tender was also floated in this regard on Thursday.

“Our objective is to ensure that people do not have to visit a police station for minor work. The portal was launched with the same objective. But the portal is low on traffic. Through bulk SMSes we want to inform people that they can provide feedback, register complaints or put in requests through the portal,” said ADG (operations) R.K. Mallick.

The portal, he explained, was easy to use. simple to use. It offers several services like, for instance, verification of tenants, paying guests, domestic helps and employees.

People can also log-in to take police permission for organising an event like a performance or a procession. Online FIRs can also be lodged and a copy of it downloaded. There is a feedback section too for people to comment on whether they were satisfied with a particular police measure.

People can also provide tip-offs or share information after noticing anything suspicious in their locality.

Once a citizen registers himself or herself on the portal and submits a complaint or request, he/she is meant to receive a confirmation on his mobile and email.

“At least for verification of tenants, housemaids and employees, the portal is quite useful,” said Arun Kumar Mishra, a resident of Kanke Road.

“Normally, if you visit a thana for verification purposes, police personnel deputed there do not take it seriously. Often they cite excuses to avoid interaction. The portal is a step towards achieving a paperless office where police is bound to take your complaints and requests,” he said.

But in spite of the array of services the portal offers, only a thousand online complaints/requests were received in the last one year, which prompted police to launch a campaign to popularise it.