The state government and police administration in Rajasthan have implemented an extensive operational network aimed at safeguarding women, schoolgirls, and children across public spaces. Under this initiative, 600 specialized Kalika Patroling Units and 65 Anti-Romeo Squads have been fully operationalized across various districts. The comprehensive setup is designed to eliminate harassment, stalkers, and miscreants while creating a secure environment where women can move without fear.
Stealth Strategy and Plainclothes Surveillance
First introduced in August 2024, the Kalika Patroling Unit operates using a dual-layered surveillance strategy. A core element of this approach involves female police officers conducting discreet monitoring in civilian clothes rather than traditional khaki uniforms. By blending in naturally among the public, these plainclothes officers operate unnoticed near high-risk zones, including school compounds, college campuses, coaching hubs, railway stations, bus terminals, and crowded local bazaars.
Because potential offenders cannot identify the undercover officers, any instance of harassment, catcalling, stalking, or inappropriate behavior leads to immediate red-handed apprehension. The unit does not wait for formal written complaints to be lodged by victims before intervening. Instead, officers take prompt, direct legal action on the spot, creating a strong deterrent against roadside delinquency.
Visible Deterrence and Administrative Backing
Alongside covert surveillance, the police force maintains a highly visible patrolling presence across cities and towns. Female personnel belonging to the 600 active Kalika Patroling Units operate on designated black scooters wearing distinctive blue uniforms. These motorized teams regularly inspect prominent shopping malls, bustling markets, religious sites, educational hubs, and public transport stands to maintain constant vigilance.
To ensure this initiative remains a permanent fixture rather than a temporary drive, the state authorities have sanctioned 2,216 new posts within the police establishment. This substantial influx of manpower provides the necessary operational capacity to extend the reach of both the Kalika Patroling Units and the 65 Anti-Romeo Squads into rural and distant regions across Rajasthan.
Self-Defense Training and Emergency Digital Reach
Beyond enforcement duties, the specialized units actively engage in community outreach and educational sessions across educational institutions. Officers conduct self-defense workshops in schools and colleges, empowering young women with practical physical safety skills to handle emergency situations.
Simultaneously, the teams focus on improving awareness around digital safety tools and emergency reporting channels. Students and women are instructed on how to utilize national and state emergency support mechanisms, including the women helpline number 1090, the standard emergency helpline Dial 112, and the dedicated mobile application RajCop App. Through this combined approach of active policing, structural manpower additions, and public empowerment, Rajasthan aims to establish a robust safety net for women statewide.
