Love birds at Golconda Fort punished by 'moral’' police

• Couples forced to do sit-ups in public glare

• Those who had not informed their parents were at mercy of police

• The police action draws sharp criticism; even SHRC bats for the couples

• Police say it is only to protect the girls

• City commissioner Anurag Sharma seeks a detailed report from Golconda Police

Hyderabad: In order to prevent crimes, police take up special drives by holding pickets and conducting surprise checks. While there are breath analysers to check alcohol levels and judiciary to punish those caught for drunk driving, it is at the sole discretion of the police officer to catch unwary couples in parks and punish them at their whims; all in the name of moral policing. The love-struck couples who entered Golconda Fort to steal some moments of togetherness on Monday were subjected to embarrassment, unlawful punishment, insults, and were shamed in public by the so-called moral police, who conducted special drive to instill moral values among the youth.

In this surprise check on youngsters, the Golconda Police had the honour of being a spy, law enforcer, punisher, judgment deliverer, killer of society evils, and deliverer of instant justice on the love-birds, caught unaware for daring to ‘steal’ private moments. The police paid a surprise visit to the fort and rounded up the couples present there, immaterial whether they were just friends having friendly chat or were smitten by each other or were genuine history students. The couples who had not informed their parents and debunked the college lectures were at the mercy of Inspector Syed Nazimmudin Javed of Golconda Police Station. The inspector forced them to hold their ears and do sit-ups as punishment in full public glare. The cops first separated the boys from the girls and asked the latter to hold their ears and do sit-ups. On the other hand, the boys, who were literally begging to let them go, had to face humiliation, punishment by performing sit-ups by hold each other’s ears. According to eyewitnesses, some boys, who tried to question the police action, were even slapped. They were also helpless as they wanted to protect the identity of their girl friends. While the police was putting their efforts to make a better society, the media which normally questions such brazen high-handedness was busy covering the incident for TRPs.

This act by the law enforcers has drawn sharp criticism from many quarters, with even the State human Rights Commission throwing their weight around the couples.

Andhra Pradesh Balala Hakkula Sangham (APBHS) condemned the attitude of Golconda police and demanded the suspension of guilty policemen and an inquiry against the erring police officers. “If this system continues, it will amount to heckling of law and court and will result in police tyranny,” said Achyuta Rao, president APBHS.

But police justified their act by saying that they were just trying to protect the girls. They added that some of the couples, especially girls had bunked college and had not informed their parents about their whereabouts. Out of concern for their safety, the police said, they took such a drive.

“Youngsters are seen bunking colleges and to escape the prying eyes of their parents make their way to parks and of late, parks are gaining notoriety as a safe place for such illegal activities. We just reprimanded them and gave them a warning not to repeat,” said inspector.

When asked about the incident, Hyderabad Commissioner Anurag Sharma assured that he would look into the matter. He said that he had also ordered the Golconda Inspector to give him a detailed report on the same.