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Yogi Adityanath's Anti-Romeo Squad Will Now Be Known As 'Nari Suraksha Bal'

Will the hounding stop this time around?
Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Remember the Yogi Adityanath's anti-romeo squads that made headlines for days together right after they were deployed? They are back in the news, this time because of a change in their name.

The Hindustan Times quoted Rajendra Pratap 'Moti' Singh as saying, "Behen betiyon ka samman sarkaar ki prathmikta hai. Ab anti-Romeo squad ka naam 'Nari Suraksha Bal' kar diya gaya hai (Protecting the honour of our sisters and daughters is the top priority for our government. Anti-Romeo squad would now be known as Nari Suraksha Bal)."

While some sections of the public had hailed the anti-romeo squads -- who are seen rounding up youths on the streets of UP, sometimes even harassing some for loitering -- the move had draw criticism from many because of the way these squads carrying out their work.

There had been reports that even brothers and husbands of women walking on the streets with them, or picking them up from college, were being asked to show their IDs.

The government, though hasn't given a specific reason for this change of name, police suggest that it may be because of the criticism it face earlier.

The Hindustan Times reports that there is also a sensitasation programme being carried out for the women protection force because the last time around they drew much criticism for moral policing of youngsters in the state.

The last time around, after the first few days they had to be given guidelines.

NDTV had reporte that these squads had been told there will be no shaving of hair, blackening of the face or murga punishment or even uthak baithak.

Director General of Police Javeed Ahmed had given these directions in a letter to the police.

NDTV hadalso quoted the letter as saying, "Couples sitting in public places should not be asked for IDs, questioned, frisked or humiliated."

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.