Activity of Anti-Romeo squads increased in last 5 yrs: Govt data

This was roughly three times more as compared to the first 268 days of the Yogi Adityanath government’s first term. Then, the Anti-Romeo squads got 1,706 cases lodged and 3,003 people booked between March 22, 2017, and December 15, 2017, averaging nearly six cases per day, as per the data collated by the government and distributed to the district administration for making it public on Republic Day.

A comparison of 2022 data with the one of 2017 also showed that members of Anti-Romeo squads inspected double the number of “eve-teasing” spots — from 7.97 lakh in 2017 to 14.56 lakh in 2022.

“Anti-Romeo squads are active in every district of the state for the safety of women… The squad members conduct checks at different locations and if anyone is found indulging in eve-teasing, they are issued warnings. They are given counselling in the presence of parents and often cases are lodged and arrests are made,” said a senior police officer.

The creation of such squads, meant for the “security of women”, was among BJP’s key poll promises in 2017. It had drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties over its vigilante approach. Under fire, the government finally issued guidelines for the squads and imposed curbs against unnecessary harassment. An Anti-Romeo squad includes a police sub-inspector with at least two constables, including a woman. The squad patrols universities, colleges, cinema halls, parks and other public places identified as vulnerable for women.

Previously, the state government shared such data on Anti-Romeo squads in 2018 and 2020.

No such list of government achievements was issued last year as the model code of conduct was in force in the state on account of the Assembly polls.

The latest government note also highlighted the initiatives taken for the welfare of farmers, especially sugarcane growers. The government said that Uttar Pradesh topped the country in sugarcane and sugar production. It also claimed that due to an increase in cane yield with the rate of 9.93 tonnes per hectare, cane farmers’ income has increased by Rs 36,656 per hectare.

Other highlights in the communication, issued by Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, included the celebration of Deepotsav in Ayodhya last year in which the state government created a new record by lighting 14.5 lakh earthen lamps.