CM Yogi Adityanath's government reactivating anti-Romeo squads in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to reactivate the anti-Romeo squads, which were initially introduced in 2017 with the stated aim of preventing sexual harassment, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Thursday.

The decision, spearheaded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was made during a meeting in the Ambedkar Nagar district on Wednesday.

The state government emphasised the need to create an environment free of fear, with Adityanath stressing that the safety of women should be a top priority.

"He ordered the reactivation of the Anti-Romeo Squad team and directed district-level officers to ensure public hearings and communication," the government said, as reported by The Hindu.

The chief minister also highlighted the importance of timely and quality resolution of complaints received through the IGRS and Chief Minister Helpline Portal, prioritizing complainant satisfaction.

The anti-Romeo squads, composed of police personnel, were launched shortly after Adityanath first assumed office in 2017.

These teams primarily targeted boys found outside girls' colleges and those allegedly involved in harassing women.

However, the squads faced significant criticism for overstepping their mandate, with reports of harassment of couples in consensual relationships, extortion, and public shaming.

From March 2017 to December 2020, anti-Romeo squads arrested over 14,454 men and were accused of engaging in extra-legal actions, including forcing sit-ups, head-shavings, and blackening faces as forms of public humiliation.

Despite these controversies, the Uttar Pradesh government is moving forward with the reactivation, aiming to bolster women's safety in the state.