Guwahati: Assam police on Tuesday opened a help desk at Panbazar police station here, the first in the state, with the objective of providing quick assistance to the public, especially women.

The desk has been set up as a pilot project.

Police sources said five police stations - Dispur, Bharalumukh, Jalukbari and Fatasil Ambari - will get help desks in the first phase of the project in the next few days.

The help desk will remain open from 8am to 8pm every day and a woman constable will be available to assist the public. Based on the success of the pilot project, such helpdesks will be opened in other police stations here.

Inaugurating the help desk, director-general of police Kuladhar Saikia said, "It is an attempt to provide the best service to the public. We have seen that often people are clueless about whom he or she has to approach for a case. This help desk will assist any person on such issues. Some women constables have been trained for this purpose. They will provide necessary information to the public."

Urging all police personnel to work sincerely, Saikia said, "We will set up such help desks in every police station of the state if required. Along with the help desk, our policemen should be sincere and dedicated in their duty."

Pranjal Baruah, officer-in-charge of Panbazar police station, told The Telegraph, "The help desk will be a boon for women who can broach any problem to a woman constable. Based on the type of crime, the people coming for assistance at the help desk will be directed to approach the officers concerned."