Protect couples from harassment, police chief to staff

Last week, a young couple was attacked and robbed by two men near the Kanheri Caves at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivli (East).

Last week, a young couple was attacked and robbed by two men near the Kanheri Caves at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivli (East).

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While the brave couple reported the matter to the Kasturba Marg police, which resulted in the arrest of the accused, most other victims are afraid of approaching the police for the fear of being exposed.

Keeping this in mind, the police commissioner’s office has issued a circular to deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) in the western suburbs directing them to prevent such incidents, and encourage victims to approach the police by concealing their identities.

The circular, issued over the weekend, states that surveillance should be increased at beach fronts in the city — Gorai and Madh Island in particular — and the SGNP. A few suspended policemen are also suspected to be involved in the crimes, which range from looting of cash and valuables and molesting. It is also feared that a few victims were raped, but they didn’t approach the police.

Sunil Paraskar, additional commissioner of police, north region, under whose jurisdiction, these places fall, said, “We have chalked out a plan to jointly patrol the SNGP with the forest guards. Moreover, surprise checks [for weapons] would also be conducted regularly.”

Paraskar said couples would be advised not to sit in isolated places. The beach fronts will be manned by uniformed and plain-clothed policemen.