Police on alert to curb moral policing and harassment on Valentine’s Day

As Hyderabad slips into a Valentine’s mood, with themed decor lighting up restaurants and gift stores filling their shelves with roses and hampers, the Hyderabad police are preparing to step up patrolling across the city to prevent incidents of moral policing, harassment of couples or any untoward clashes.

Officials from Hyderabad and Malkajgiri police commissionerates said security has been tightened around popular hangout spots, including parks, malls and café clusters, to deter vigilante groups and ensure that young couples are not subjected to intimidation or bullying.

Within Hyderabad city limits, key public spaces such as Tank Bund, Necklace Road, NTR Park and Sanjeevaiah Park along with areas around major malls will be under close watch. “The entire force has been instructed to remain alert and respond promptly to any vigilante or unlawful activities,” an official from the Khairatabad zone said.

Meanwhile, in Cyberabad, police indicated that they would largely continue routine patrolling. An officer from the Serilingampally zone noted that couples frequent parks, food streets and public places in the IT corridor well into the evening as a matter of course, and that no significant issues have been reported in previous years.

Overall, police emphasised that consenting adults celebrating Valentine’s Day within the bounds of the law cannot be stopped or harassed. They warned that strict action would be taken against any fringe elements attempting to interfere and create disorder.