Slaps ‘inspired’ by TV

NEW DELHI: ‘Operation’ was the key word. Inspired by the success of TV operations Duryodhan and Chakravyuh, Meerut Police launched its own operation. What could be more TRP grabbing than an anti-eve teasing drive? So they launched the aptly named Operation Majnu that would get them on TV. But it went horribly wrong when two of the lady constables went over the top and brutally slapped girls lazing around Gandhi Park along with their boyfriends in front of hordes of media persons.

As people across the country watched in horror the overzealous cops targeting innocent couples, violent reactions poured in.

The powers that be too stirred when the NHRC and NWC took note of the incident. By Wednesday evening, the UP government had suspended the ASP and Circle Officer of the area. A case was also filed against 13 police personnel, including the two women cops who were in the forefront.

The drive was launched with much fanfare on Monday afternoon when a team of a dozen cops headed by Madhumalti, station house officer of the Mahila Police station, descended on Gandhi Park and roughed up every couple that came its way.

“They did not even bother to ask if the couple were married or not,” said Rampal, a gardener. The garden wore a deserted look on Wednesday.

“While I make thousand of rupees daily , I have made very little for last two days,” says Rakesh Kumar, owner of the garden cafeteria. This, according to him, was the third drive in last one month. However, earlier the cops did not go berserk. Presence of cameras, for him, explains the change.