Amid the shadow of fear lurking over the Valentine’s Day celebration as a result of increased moral policing on innumerable pretexts the district police seems overly relaxed in taking preventive measures to thwart attempts likely to be made by self-proclaimed custodians of tradition.
The advent of groups like ‘Gulabi Gang’, labelled due to the attire they wear, besides other rightwing religious groups known for creating trouble every year is likely to add to the woes of lovebirds looking for calm surroundings to express their feelings. Nonetheless, the district police will resort to usual patrolling near sensitive spots and confided to prevent people who create troubles or try to take law in their hand.
“I have given instructions to the all police station in-charges to identify places and make deployment accordingly. I have also asked to provide additional reinforcements if needed,” said City SP MR Chothe. Interestingly, the district police expressed their inability to contain such elements or take action against people fomenting trouble due to inhibition on the part of victim to report such cases to the police. The district police thus encouraged people to report incidents of misconduct by people opposed to Valentine’s Day. “I appeal people to come forward to register complain against people who take law in their hand so that we can take action against them,” maintained Chothe.
Meanwhile, after being rapped for resorting to unlawful means for moral policing the ‘Gulabi Gang’ vowed not to repeat the act of punishing couples on Valentine’s Day.