UP to have anti-obscene call cell in each district

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police has decided to set up anti-obscene call cells in all districts of the state in an effort to curb vulgar SMSes and calls on mobile phones belonging to girls and women, a police official said Wednesday. Director General of Police (DGP) AC Sharma has directed all district police chiefs to set up an anti-obscene call cell in their respective districts to handle complaints of vulgar SMSes and calls on mobile phones. "With a ready pilot in one of our districts, we have decided that such a cell be created in all the districts," Sharma, who is impressed by the success of an anti-obscene call helpline set up in Sultanpur district, said. Admitting to the enormity of complaints against obscene SMSes and calls, the DGP said the police were alive to such issues. Under the ambitious plan, a dedicated number would be made public so that women receiving obscene calls or SMSes could complain against the harassment, Sharma said. These cells, police officials said, would be operating under the mahila (women) police stations in each district and would be directly supervised by the circle officer (CO) of the reserve police lines. In areas where there is no mahila police station, an officer of sub-inspector rank would be deputed to handle complaints and take action. The initiative was first taken up by Sultanpur Superintendent of Police Alankrita Singh in August this year. With more than 161 complaints received in a month and 150 of them dealt with - either by issuing strict warning or penal action against callers - the pilot was considered to be a success. "Once the DGP was informed about the success of the initiative, he ordered its implementation across Uttar Pradesh," an official said. IANS