Meerut: A group of perverts has triggered panic and fear among women in Daurala, in UP’s Meerut district.
Over the last few weeks, naked men have been going into villages and dragging women to deserted areas.
A fourth such attempt, by what the locals are calling the ‘nude gang’, was reported recently, when two men tried to force a woman to the field while she was travelling to her workplace alone in Bharaala village, reported NDTV.
The woman screamed and somehow managed to get away from the men. Scores of villagers rushed to the spot and looked for the culprit, but no one was found.
The woman told her family members that the accused were not wearing any clothes.
Shaken by the incident, the woman has changed her job and takes a different route to work, her husband told NDTV.
Daurala police have started an investigation, and are monitoring the area using drones.
No suspect has been caught yet.
Villagers alleged that this is the fourth such incident. The previous ones were not reported due to public shame and embarrassment. Now, they feel the matter has taken a very serious turn and requires police intervention.
“Villagers initially did not take it seriously. But now there is an atmosphere of fear. This gang has so far targeted only women,” village chief Rajendra Kumar said.
Police have been searching the fields and nearby localities.
CCTV cameras have been installed for surveillance.
Last week, a search operation was carried out for several hours using drones.
“We combed the area with drones and the help of villagers, but did not find any suspect. Women cops have been deployed in the area, and a search is on for the suspects,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada, who himself inspected the spot.
Even as the menace of the ‘nude gang’ has forced most women to remain indoors, there are some locals who believe it is the handiwork of mischievous elements trying to tarnish the image of the police and local administration.