Patna, Dec. 6: Patna police have initiated a special drive against eve-teasers by carrying out surprise raids at parks, malls and restaurants.

In one such raid on Monday evening at SK Puri Park popularly known as Children's Park the police detained several youngsters who had gone their without any "valid reason".

The police said the youths stay 7-8km from the park but visit it regularly just to harass women.

The raid was conducted at the park after police rceived several complaints about youths creating nuisance.

There are several hostels and residential houses for girls nearby the park.

Rakesh Dubey, assistant superintendent of police, (headquarters and operations), said: "For the past few days we have been receiving complaints from people especially elderly and women that a few youths at the Children's Park are creating nuisance. The youths harass and pass lewd comments on women."

The police then conducted raids at the park and detained around a dozen youths. They were later allowed to leave after signing bonds.

Sushma Priya, a college student living in a hostel at SK Puri, said: "Youths loitering around the Children's Park had become a security concern for us. The youths ride swanky motorbikes and vroom around girls. There is no secrity in the area. Hope such raids fix the problem."

A Shastri Nagar police officer said: "Generally youths detained for indulging in eve-teasing cases are let free after accepting a personal bond. However, if a youth or group of youths is found creating nuisance at public places the youth is arrested under Section 151 of CrPC (creating nuisance), while if some youth or group of youths is found involving in suspicious activities at public places they are arrested on charges of Section 41 of the CrPC (suspicious activities)."