Sambalpur, Jan. 20: Police have launched crackdown on eve-teasers following several complaints in the city.

Nine youngsters were detained earlier this week from various parts of the city for allegedly passing lewd comments on girls.

The parents of the accused were called to the local police station and the accused were allowed to go only after they had given written undertakings that they would not indulge in such activities, the police said.

In July last year, the police had formed a special squad to check eve-teasing in the city. It includes two assistant sub-inspectors and eight constables. This team moves around the city in plainclothes, especially near the educational institutions as well as the coaching and tuition centres. Their objective is to catch eve-teasers red handed.

The squad had nabbed more than 30 eve-teasers last July. Following the drive, the incidents of eve-teasing had reduced in the city. But later, it again shoot up as proved by the frequent complaints of eve-teasing. The police, therefore, re-launched the crackdown since yesterday.

District superintendent of police Akhilesvar Singh said: "The drive will continue. We are informing the eve-teasers' parents, so that the accused give up such habits. The crackdown on the eve-teasers is a proactive action of police. However, we will register cases if any girl lodges formal complaints with us."

A senior police official said: "Twelve cases were registered in connection with eve-teasing in 2016. Similarly, 10 cases were registered in 2015 and nine in 2014."

"On several occasions, girls face severe inconvenience while going to their educational institutions because of these eve-teasers. The initiative aims to make them feel safe in public places," said a G.M. University student Ipsita Pattnaik.

"The recent case of eve-teasing at Madhupur in Kalahandi district rocked the state. Two persons had set ablaze a Class X girl, who dared to protest against lewd comments. There are many instances where girls of young age are being harassed in public places, which sometimes lead to serious psychological problems. At times, the victims even stop going to school, college or coaching centre fearing the eve-teasers. I am really happy that the police have initiated steps to check eve-teasing," said lawyer Pusparani Mohapatra.