On the pattern of "anti-Romeo squads" set up by Yogi Adityanath Government in Uttar Pradesh, the Manohar lal Khattar Government in Haryana on Wednesday launched "Operation Durga" campaign to curb the instances of harassment of girls and eve-teasing outside educational institutions in the State.
"Haryana Police has launched a massive campaign 'Operation Durga' wherein 24 teams constituted by Chief Minister's Flying Squad nabbed 72 persons indulging in various crimes against women in public places in all districts in the state on Wednesday," said an official spokesman. The teams comprised woman personnel including nine Sub-inspectors of Police, 14 Assistant Sub-inspectors of Police, six Head Constables and 13 Constables, apart from other Police personnel from each district.
The spokesman said that the teams visited public places such as schools, colleges, bus stands and railway stations and nabbed persons indulging in crimes against women, including eve teasing. The accused were then handed over to the local police for further action.
He said that the Haryana Government had established women police stations in all districts in the state to ensure safety of women and provide them with a safe place for lodging complaints.
However, it had been observed that women hesitated in reporting incidents involving such anti-social elements. Therefore, the campaign was undertaken after identifying places where such anti-social elements were indulging in eve teasing, vulgar comments, stalking and other similar activities, he added. Notably, a day after the BJP assumed the reins of power in Uttar Pradesh, an "anti-Romeo squad" fanned out across the state to arrest youths indulging in eve-teasing. Following this, many BJP leaders had demanded to follow the same initiative in others states to ensure safety of the women.