Following reports of cow vigilantes and moral police misusing government’s initiatives of banning illegal slaughter and starting anti-Romeo squads, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday issued strict instructions to senior officials to tackle such elements with an iron hand.
CM Adityanath’s concern came after reports of three mutton shops being set ablaze in Hathras district, and several cases of moral policing where young boys and girls in friendly conversations were being allegedly harassed by anti-Romeo squads of the police.
Expressing his annoyance over such incidents, Yogi Adityanath warned the senior officials that strict action would be taken if such cases are not contained.
In a meeting with top officials, including chief secretary (home) Debashish Panda and DGP Javeed Ahmed, CM Yogi said ‘such incidents should be tackled with an iron hand’.
Expressing concern over the incident of meat shops set ablaze in Hathras, the CM directed the DGP to ensure that such ‘incidents were not repeated’ in the name of checking illegal animal slaughter.
Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh, who has been appointed for briefing the media about government’s decisions, said that the anti-Romeo squads were meant to check eve-teasing at public places and not harassment of innocent people.
Under the initiative, cops in plain clothes have been ordered to ensure that every woman and girl student reaches home safely.
