On Tuesday (September 30), Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed the Delhi Police to establish the unit on the model of the ‘Pink Force’ operated by Goa Police. The initiative comes after four cases of rape and sexual assault involving minors were reported within a span of around 10 days.

The proposed unit will increase the visible presence of police in key and sensitive locations. Regular patrols by women police personnel will also be strengthened around educational institutions, markets and public transport hubs.

The Delhi Police has already been deploying women officers on scooters and for beat patrolling. The new ‘Pink Force’ is intended to bring these activities under a dedicated and structured framework. Under ‘Operation Shishtachar’, police will also continue action against harassment and eve-teasing of women in public places.

Among the recent cases are allegations of the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl near Kalkaji Temple, the sexual assault of a minor in Sadar Bazar, the sexual abuse of a six-year-old child in Kishanganj, and the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in Swaroop Nagar. Police have reported arrests and detentions in connection with these cases.

The authorities have also instructed police to digitally track complaints received through the ‘Jan Sunwai’ programme, increase patrols in crime-prone areas, appoint nodal officers in every police district, and strengthen awareness programmes in schools on child safety, cybercrime and drug abuse.

Additional directives have been issued on combating cybercrime, traffic management, CCTV surveillance and police welfare.

According to the Delhi Police, the ‘Jan Sunwai’ programme, which has been running since June, has conducted more than 1,300 sessions and addressed nearly 10,000 complaints.