After girl’s suicide, Noida cops launch ‘Operation Romeo’

In the wake of the suicide by a Class 12 girl, allegedly after she was repeatedly harassed, the city police has launched ‘Operation Romeo’ near schools and colleges to curb such incidents.

On Monday, the police detained 21 young men who were loitering around schools and harassing students.

“All those detained were between the age of 16-21 years. When the police officers asked them what they were doing near the schools, they gave unconvincing reasons. Their parents were called to the police station for counselling and informed that their children’s activities were a crime under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They were allowed to return home after a stern warning,” said Anup Singh, deputy superintendent of police, Gautam Budh Nagar.

The Noida police has deputed personnel in plainclothes around all major schools and colleges to identify suspected stalkers, harassers and molesters. “An FIR will be lodged against repeat offenders regardless of their age and they will be sent to jail,” Singh said.

On Tuesday, the police conducted raids in and around various educational institutions and detained over a dozen men, who were released later.

“Such surprise checks will be conducted frequently to ensure that the female students can travel to and from their schools safely. We are also in the process of identifying all isolated stretches that they use to commute daily. Officials have been asked to act swiftly on any complaint of harassment,” Singh said.

On October 16, a 17-year-old girl had committed suicide after she was repeatedly harassed by three men in the area, the police said.

She was found hanging in her residence in Chhijarsi area. She had complained to the police a couple of days before taking the extreme step, but they failed to find the accused persons. The accused were arrested only after the victim’s suicide.

The local police post in-charge was suspended following the incident.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party volunteers staged a protest at Sector 14 A against the police for not arresting the accused persons on time.

The victim’s mother also met the superintendent of police (SP) and demanded justice for her daughter. Police assured her of the strictest punishment for the accused.