1st training held for Shishtachar squads in Delhi

Officers were not to lecture women on their attire or the way they conduct themselves, and not to focus solely on couples sitting in public places such as parks.

Hours after a training session, conducted on the day and in which officers were directed to conduct random checks in buses asking women passengers if they were being troubled, and checks at markets, bus stops and outside educational institutions as part of their duties, the newly constituted ‘Shishtachar’ or ‘anti Eve-teasing’ squads of the Delhi Police have started checking incidences of harassing women in public spaces.

Other officers being deployed on the ground were directed not to lecture women on their attire or the way they behave, nor were they to arrest couples sitting in public places, such as parks. But, they were told to take suo motu action in cases of harassment.

To make this initiative a success, members of the squad should spot the opening and closing time of schools and colleges, go there in plainclothes and ask the girls if any one is troubling them. I go to crowded markets and bus stops and do the same. If you come back from just making rounds, this exercise will not be fruitful. Assistant commissioner of police Yogesh Malhotra said at the training session that you have to approach women and speak with them ‘voluntarily’.

On Wednesday, the training session was held at the Wazirabad police training academy and around 350 police officers of different ranks had attended it. The training was held by an advocate, and three assistant commissioners of police who had retired as deputy commissioner of police.

Officers under the initiative said two squads will be deployed in each police district, consisting of an inspector, a sub inspector, four female personnel and five male personnel. ACP (crime against women cell) will supervise the squads.

ACP Malhotra added that officers should 'proactively' question groups of men loitering outside a college or school. “Board DTC buses plying on the roads. Check if men are sitting on seats reserved for women.” He advised people to speak to women on buses and ask them if anyone is bothering them.

The trainers also made it clear to the squads not to get into moral policing and spoke politely with women.

ACP Anil Kumar told that a woman should be told the procedure to be followed when a complaint is shared by her, “Do not lecture her what she should do or with what she is wearing.” We are a free country where people can wear and do as they please. Avoid asking couples sitting in the park. They should not feel that they should leave when you enter because you have come, they should feel that they can stay because you have come.”

Also officers were directed to help harassed women even if they did not want to file a complaint. “If they need you to call a man who is terrorizing her, assist them.” Malhotra advised against forcing her to file a formal complaint.

Suo motu action was asked from the squads to detect hot spots in each district. DCP of Delhi Police LN Rao said: “Identify the hot spots, take action against people and create a database of repeat offenders.”

Earlier, Delhi Police has taken the initiative like pink booths, all women police posts and pink scooters, driven by women police officials but according to the residents of Delhi these initiatives have not been fruitful on the ground.

A senior police officer at the training session, who declined to be named, said: “This time officials have been asked to approach women themselves rather than us waiting for women to approach us, which we hope will improve the ground situation.”