Don’t impose your own morality: Note to Delhi’s ‘anti eve-teasing’ squads

In its manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP had promised “Anti-Romeo squads” in public spaces to check sexual harassment. The Uttar Pradesh government was the first to form such squads after Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister in 2017.

According to an officer, Delhi Police has been implementing multiple initiatives to curb crime against women, including sexual harassment and molestation, to foster a safer public environment and instill confidence amongst the vulnerable sections.

To augment their efforts, police have decided to formulate district-wise dedicated “anti eve-teasing squads” in all districts of Delhi Police, the officer said. These squads will comprise trained personnel, who shall focus on preventing, deterring, and responding to such offences on a real-time basis, he said.

Citing a circular issued by Delhi Police Headquarters on March 8, sources said that each squad will comprise 12 personnel led by an Inspector. The circular stated that squad members would be provided with a four-wheeler and adequate number of two-wheelers, a source said.

Each police district will form at least two squads, which will be supervised by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) from the district’s Crime Against Women Cell.

Each squad will have one Inspector and one Sub-Inspector, apart from four female police personnel and five male police personnel (Assistant Sub-Inspectors, head constables and constables).

The circular also stated that one member of the Special Staff or Anti-Auto Theft Squad of the district will be earmarked for technical assistance whenever required, according to sources.

The sources said the District Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) shall first identify and compile a list of hotspots and vulnerable areas that pose risks to women’s safety — these areas will be the primary focus of the squads. A list of such hotspots would be shared with the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC).

The squad’s deployment roster will be prepared by the district ACPs from the Crime Against Women Cell and approved by the DCP of SPUWAC every week.

Other duties include:

• The squads would routinely move around in vulnerable areas and conduct drives in at least two vulnerable points every day.
•  The ACPs from the Crime Against Women Cells shall ensure each drive is meticulously planned, considering the topography, specific vulnerabilities of the identified areas, and deployment of staff strategically at the hotspots.
•  The squads will operate with a multi-faceted approach involving prevention, intervention, and victim assistance.
• The squads will deploy female police officers in plainclothes to identify and deter perpetrators.
• They shall conduct surprise checks in public transport and interact with DTC drivers, conductors, and passengers and motivate them to report such incidents.
•  They should collaborate with Residents’ Welfare Associations, Market Welfare Associations and local volunteers to enhance vigilance and identify more vulnerable spots.
• District DCPs should take personal initiative to ensure that personnel for these squads are carefully selected, ensuring they are sensitive, empathetic, and self-motivated.