‘Operation Chabutra’ sparks debate over safety and freedom on Hyderabad streets

A late-night policing drive targeting groups ‘loitering’ on city roads has triggered a split in public opinion, with residents and netizens sharply divided over whether it enhances safety or encroaches on personal freedom.

The initiative titled Operation Chabutra is being carried out across Hyderabad, particularly in the south and Old City areas, where police say complaints of harassment, intimidation and petty crime tend to surface after midnight. Teams patrol identified stretches, questioning those found sitting on roadside platforms, street corners and relatively isolated locations.

Police officials maintain that the operation is aimed at deterrence rather than indiscriminate action. DCP, Golconda Zone, G. Chandra Mohan said the questioning is based on behaviour rather than mere presence. “The motive behind the questioning is that whoever is loitering on streets, or sitting in isolated places, will be pulled up, not all. When some are found catcalling couples, women, and indulging in extortion, we counsel them in front of their parents or elders. If they are involved in crime against women, teasing, or property offence, that will be a case. Minor scuffle will be dealt with counselling,” he said.

An officer from the Charminar zone said the timing and approach are calibrated based on past incidents. “The operation usually starts after midnight. If found roaming without a purpose, we cross check them once, but roaming after 1 a.m. is dealt with strictly. Recently, there were incidents of a couple being assaulted, and a delivery boy robbed. The South and South-West range get more of such cases.”

He added that the drive is intended to remain largely non-confrontational. “It is a peaceful operation, mostly counselling. There is a misconception of using lathi by police. That happens in isolated cases when a group tries to escape or evade questions. If there is a complaint about it, we will surely take action.”

The term ‘chabutra’ itself reflects a long-standing social culture in parts of the Old City, where residents, particularly youth, gather on raised platforms or ‘arugu’ during summer nights.

Advocate Vasudev Raju from Nampally Criminal Court said that such spaces have traditionally been part of community life. “I am basically from a place called Aliabad in Old City, south of Charminar near Rajanna Bowli. Life here has to be experienced, not just witnessed. Youth can really enjoy summer nights on an arugu or chabutra. But they should not run away when patrol vans or police come, should avoid vices and always be in a place covered by CCTV to establish that nothing nefarious is done.”

However, legal concerns have also been raised over the manner of enforcement. Advocate Rama Rao Immaneni criticised the operation, calling it an overreach. “Innovative humiliation in the name of a new device called Operation Chabutra turned out to be a source of public humiliation. Powers of police with regard to surveillance are limited to erstwhile AP Police Standing Orders 601 and 744 adopted by Telangana after reorganisation. It forms no part of their duty to publicly thwack the citizens by branding them. Crime control cannot be under unconstitutional methods as we are living in a democracy,” he said.

Videos of the operation, particularly from Mailardevpally and surrounding areas, have circulated widely online, drawing contrasting reactions. Some users have welcomed the move, arguing that stricter enforcement is necessary to address nuisance. One comment described the action as a “good job”, adding that certain groups take advantage of perceived leniency and need to be controlled to maintain order.

Others have raised concerns over the manner of policing. A user questioned why people were being ‘harassed’ instead of simply being asked to disperse, while another replied that such an approach often fails. Questions have also been raised about freedom of movement on public roads and the use of force in certain instances.

At the same time, there is support from residents in other localities who say similar nuisance persists in their areas. Some have called for such drives in places like Balapur, citing disturbances through the day and night. Sai Sagar, a resident from Maruthi Nagar, said, “I often reach home around 2 a.m. and see boys ganged up with beer bottles in the end of my lane. There is definitely a need for such vigilance to ensure public safety,” he said.

Police also clarified that individuals returning from work or with valid reasons are not targeted. In recent checks, youth allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol were counselled, 81 bikes were seized, and small quantities of marijuana cigarettes were found in a few cases. Officials added that no one was detained unnecessarily, countering claims circulating online.

Published – April 02, 2026 08:33 pm IST