Mon Mar 17 03:22:05 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Police Launches “Shishtachar Squads” to Combat Eve-Teasing
**New Delhi, March [Date of Publication]** – Delhi Police has launched a new initiative to enhance women’s safety in the city: “Shishtachar Squads,” dedicated to combating eve-teasing and other forms of harassment. These squads, mirroring a similar initiative in Uttar Pradesh, will patrol public spaces across Delhi, focusing on prevention, intervention, and victim support.
The initiative, announced by Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on March 8th, follows a BJP election manifesto promise to deploy such squads and expand CCTV coverage. Each of Delhi’s districts will field at least two squads, each composed of a diverse team of trained officers, including female personnel. The squads will operate in plain clothes, conducting surprise checks on public transport and interacting with drivers and passengers to encourage reporting of incidents.
The squads’ primary focus will be on identified hotspots and vulnerable areas, compiled by District Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs). They are mandated to patrol at least two such locations daily. Crucially, the order emphasizes a focus on enforcing the law, rather than imposing personal morality, and stresses the importance of sensitivity and empathy towards victims, ensuring their protection from further distress. Technical support will be provided by personnel from specialized units like the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS).
The deployment of the Shishtachar Squads marks a significant step in Delhi Police’s ongoing efforts to curb crimes against women, including molestation and other forms of harassment. The DCPs have been instructed to ensure the squads are well-trained, motivated, and effectively address the issue of women’s safety in the city.
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