The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to put up a poster of those accused of sexual harassment and other crimes related to women on roads with their names so that people can know these persons.
An official spokesperson on Thursday (September 24, 2020) said that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, issued directions to instill confidence among women and check crime against them.
He said that “The CM at a high-level meeting here on Thursday directed to put up posters of those involved in crimes against women at prominent crossings. He has also directed that those involved in such crimes should be punished by women police.”
After an incident where a 21-year old Dalit woman was allegedly assaulted by 2 youths who were stalking her in Kanpur, the CM took notice and issued the directions for the name and shame posters.
The 2 boys later got arrested. Attempt to murder, molestation and criminal intimidation were the charges under which the two boys were booked and also under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The Chief Minister said that people should know who are the persons who are vitiating the atmosphere in society and indulging in crime against women. He further said that in case any incident related to crime against women takes place, the beat in-charge, chowki in-charge, station officer, and the circle officer would be held responsible.
The Anti-Romeo squad which was constituted to control incidents of molestation and cases of sexual harassment and which have shown great results and discouraged eve-teasers were directed to keep working and be more active in every district.
Later in a statement, the Home Department said that “To put a stop on incidents of molestation & eve-teasing, the anti-Romeo squads are active in every district. In a meeting with the home & police department officials, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Kumar Awasthi said that by taking strict & effective action, a better image of the police will be presented so that women can have increased faith in the department.”
It further said that anti-Romeo squads “checked” more than 83 lakh people in over 35 lakh schools, colleges & public places, like markets, malls & parks. Based on the “checking”, cases were registered against 7,351 people & 11,564 were arrested, while more than 35 lakh people were let off after a proper warning.
DGP Hitesh Chandra Awasthy said that “I have not yet received any such communication, & once we get it, we will act on it accordingly. We have, however, re-issued directions that we have to be very careful about such crimes taking place & have to take strong action against such people. A similar order was issued by me around 20-25 days ago.”
DIG Preetinder Singh said that “The important thing in such cases is taking strict action against such people. In this particular case, we arrested the accused within two hours of the crime taking place. As far as putting up posters is concerned, we will be doing so only in cases in which the accused is absconding.”
