Maharashtra also needs anti-Romeo squad, says chief of state commission for women

Even as anti-Romeo squads constituted by the newly elected BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is courting several controversies, rising crimes against women has forced the Maharashtra State Commission for Women to demanding its replication in the state.

Hours after the daughter of a BJP MLA was attacked by her classmate in Pune, Dr Vijaya Rahatkar, the Chairperson of the commission, advocated the need of anti-Romeo squads in Maharashtra.

Speaking to DNA after meeting the girl,, Rahatkar said, "The Anto Romeo squad would help ensure safety of girls. The commission would take this request to the CM Devendra Fadnavis soon. However, law enforcing agencies will also have to put up best efforts to curb such crimes."

She, however, insisted that crimes against women will not stop unless society and families start sensitising young boys about it and keeping a vigilant eyes on their activities.

The daughter of a BJP legislator survived a murderous assault on her in the Pune's Pimpri-Chinchwad area on Monday. The victim, Ashwini Reddy, is the daughter of Sanjeev Reddy Bodkurwar, the BJP MLA from Wani constituency in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district. She is in Pune, studying for an MBA.  The assailant, a fellow student identified as Rajesh Bakshi (23), allegedly followed the victim as she set out from her hostel to the institute and attacked her with a sharp weapon, causing serious injury to the fingers of her left hand, almost severing three of them.