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

Delhi Police’s “anti eve-teasing” or “Shistachar” squads will soon patrol public places across the city with a mandate to enforce the law rather than impose personal or cultural morality on individuals. They will also ensure that they protect victims from unnecessary public scrutiny or embarrassment, The Indian Express has learnt.

The squads will come up in each of the 15 police districts in Delhi. This is the first time Delhi Police will have a team of officers dedicated to women’s safety.

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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 Minior in 2017.

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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.

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Delhi Police to Form District-Wise Anti-Eve-Teasing Squads

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.

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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).

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