Recent incidents have brought attention to the harassment and mistreatment faced by serving personnel on leave, as well as veterans, leading to significant distress among those affected. To address this, the Ministry of Defence has introduced an emergency helpline, 155306, to offer immediate assistance to both active personnel and veterans in emergencies. This initiative ensures they receive support during difficult situations, similar to the widely recognized “Dial 100” service used by law enforcement agencies. It aims to provide much-needed help and protect the dignity of those who have served the nation.
Purpose and Need
The primary objective of this helpline is to establish a comprehensive, easily accessible system for soldiers and veterans to receive assistance in times of crisis. Whether it is a traffic accident, medical emergency, natural calamity, or major criminal activity, this helpline will serve as a single window solution to provide rapid response and relief. The introduction of this helpline is a timely step, considering the varied nature of emergencies that military personnel, veterans, and their families may encounter.
Features of the Emergency Helpline
The 155306 helpline comes with several unique features designed to ensure effective response and efficient management of emergency situations:
- 24×7 Availability: The emergency helpline is manned round-the-clock by a team of professionally trained Military Police (MPs) and Women Military Police (WMPs). This ensures that no matter when the emergency occurs, help is just a call away.
- Advanced Call Management: Equipped with call identification and recording facilities, the system ensures that every call is tracked, recorded, and processed with efficiency. This also helps in providing feedback and closure after the case is resolved.
- Wide Accessibility: The helpline is accessible across the country, regardless of the service provider being used. It works with major mobile service providers including Airtel, JIO, VI, and BSNL, ensuring that all users have access to this emergency service.
- Civilian and Military Connectivity: The helpline has direct access to Provost Units and Formation Headquarters (Fmn HQs) via the ASCON (Army Security Communications Network). Additionally, it is connected to civilian police and other essential civil departments through the regular civil landline network. This ensures that emergency calls can be responded to with the necessary support, whether military or civilian.
- Call Barring: To maintain the focus on emergency cases and prevent misuse of the service for non-urgent matters, the emergency helpline has a call barring facility. This discourages routine inquiries and ensures that only genuine emergencies are prioritized.
Process for Reporting an Emergency
When an emergency situation arises, the process to avail of the Army Emergency Helpline is simple and straightforward:
- Dial 155306: The caller needs to dial 155306 directly, without the need for any prefix.
- Identification: The caller will be prompted to provide their rank, name, number, and location for verification.
- Incident Brief: The helpline operator will request a brief description of the incident, including its nature and severity.
- Response Activation: Once the incident is reported, the helpline operator will immediately contact the nearest Provost Unit or local police station to ensure that assistance is dispatched to the location.
- Case Tracking: A response form will be created by the helpdesk using a Call Management System Software. This allows the system to track the incident and ensure that timely follow-up and feedback are gathered for case closure.
Exclusions from the Helpline Service
While the 155306 emergency helpline is designed to provide urgent assistance, certain cases are excluded from being reported through this service. These exclusions include:
- Land dispute cases
- Marital discord issues
- Toll exemption requests
- Ongoing legal matters (subjudice)
- Minor incidents
- Routine inquiries
- Family-related issues
By limiting the scope of the helpline to genuine emergencies, the system ensures its availability for those who truly need immediate assistance, thereby preventing unnecessary delays or misuse.
After Action Report and Case Closure
Once the emergency response has been carried out, an after-action report is generated by the concerned Formation Headquarters (Fmn HQ). This report is then forwarded to the Army Headquarters Provost Unit for review and closure of the case. The follow-up process ensures that the issue is properly resolved, and feedback is gathered for continuous improvement.
Information Dissemination
The establishment of this emergency helpline and the details regarding its use are being widely disseminated to all relevant personnel across the Indian Army. The helpline is designed not only for the benefit of serving soldiers but also to offer substantial support to veterans and their families. As part of the information dissemination, all concerned offices and units are instructed to inform and assist soldiers and veterans in accessing this crucial service.
Conclusion
With the establishment of the 155306 Emergency Helpline, the Indian Army has taken a significant step towards ensuring that its personnel, both serving and retired, have immediate access to critical assistance when they need it the most. This service stands as a testament to the Army’s commitment to the welfare of its soldiers and veterans, providing them with the necessary support in times of crisis. It strengthens the bond between the armed forces and the community they serve, ensuring that help is always available, no matter the situation. The Army’s efforts to address these concerns, along with the establishment of this emergency helpline, contribute to maintaining the dignity and respect that every soldier and veteran deserves.
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