The Uttar Pradesh Police adopted a unique approach to map and track criminal activities during ‘dark nights’ by urging the district-level officers to execute operations on the basis of lunar phases for September 2023.
In a circular, the State Police Chief, Vijay Kumar, shared lunar phase dates and highlighted the need for preparedness regarding potential crime surges during the brightest fortnights of the month, from September 10 to 20, including Amavasya (new moon).
In an official announcement, the Uttar Pradesh Police stated, “To combat crimes occuring during dark nights, DGP UP Sri Vijay Kumar has directed all districts. Officers to tailor their operations on the basis of lunar phases for September. Officers are advised to prepare for a potential increase in criminal activity from the 10th to the 20th Sept.”
Earlier, following a comprehensive examination of the Hindu calendar or ‘Panchang’ to identify the darkest nights in August, DGP Vijay Kumar instructed district police officials to analyze the crime data from UP 112 and the Crime and Criminal database.
During the moon’s darkest phase in August, it was observed that a significant number of criminal incidents occurred approximately one week prior to ‘Amavasya’ in the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (dark phase of the moon) and about a week after it. Consequently, he directed officials to conduct a monthly review of crime during this time frame.
“It was a full moon day on August 1 and there was bright moonlight from 6 pm till 6 am on August 2, restricting the movement of criminals. From August 8, the new moon period began which continued till August 16,” the top cop said.
“On August 16, it was dark from 6 pm to 6 am which helped criminals take advantage of the darkness and commit crimes,” he said, adding that the new moon phase would occur on September 14 and October 14, therefore, officers should remain alert a week before and after it.
