Staff shortage diluting efficacy of anti-Romeo squads?
MEERUT: After the Yogi Adityanath government took over the reins of the state in March last year, an anti-Romeo squad was constituted in every district to launch a crackdown on youths harassing women and girls.
A year on, the police maintain that the squad is very much active while Meerut residents feel its efficacy has reduced.
Senior superintendent of police, Meerut, Manzil Saini said the government was following the policy of zero tolerance against molesters and those harassing girls.
“Anti-Romeo squads are still working effectively against anti-social elements. Meerut has 32 anti-Romeo squads, including two in Mahila Thana. Each squad comprises four constables (two men and two women) led by a sub-inspector. The squads maintain vigil near girls’ colleges, coaching centres and public places,” she said.
The SSP said the squads were checking the cases of molestation with an iron hand.
The police, however, make no bones in admitting that it is difficult to spare constables and sub-inspectors for the squad in view of shortage of policemen.
“It is a big challenge. We are somehow managing manpower and providing vehicles to the squads for patrolling. We somehow arrange vehicles and other logistics to keep the squads operational as there is no separate budget for it,” said Saini.
The situation is similar in other districts of the zone and trainee sub-inspectors have come as a respite in view of the shortage of manpower.
Though college principals and girls
It is a big challenge. We are somehow managing manpower and providing vehicles to the squads for patrolling. We somehow arrange vehicles and other logistics to keep the squads operational as there is no separate budget for it
MANZIL SAINI, Senior superintendent of police, Meerut
appreciate the idea of anti-Romeo squad, they believe their effectiveness has been diluted.
“Initially, anti-Romeo squads dealt with molesters with an iron hand but its efficacy has reduced over a period of time,” said principal of RG Girls’ Inter College Dr Rajni Rani Shankhdhar.
“The formation of anti-Romeo squad is indeed a good idea. Social evils like molestation and harassment of women can’t be uprooted without bringing a change in the thought process of the society,” she said.
Principal of RG Post-Graduate College Dr Archana Sharma said such drives were essential and the anti-Romeo squads were doing a good job.
“However, the police need to understand that they should not harass girls and boys sitting together. Elderly people should accompany the anti-Romeo squads so they can question the couples instead of directly blaming them,” she said.
The SSP admitted that initially some policemen allegedly troubled the couples during the drive.
“The state government has issued a list of dos and don’ts to check harassment of couples. Our work is to stop harassment and not to intrude in the personal lives of the people,” Saini said.
Sunidhi Sharma, who is pursuing company secretary course, said change in the mindset of the people could only check harassment of women.
“Despite the efforts of anti-Romeo squad, cases of molestation continue. Families need to sensitise men about the importance of respecting girls,” she said.