The state government’s Women and Child Development Department will impart training in self-defense to four lakh girl students from next month.

The initiative has been planned in view of increasing crimes against women, said minister in-charge, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, on Wednesday. “Maharashtra is the most urbanised state. The issues regarding women and the remedies needed have changed with changing times. The matter has become a concern for the government, especially in view of the recent crimes against women and girls. Some women have been killed as well,” said Lodha at a media conference at Mantralaya.