A new police unit, dubbed as the "green uniforms", equipped with brand new four wheels-drive cars, have launched massive crackdown against people, mostly the young ones in Tehran and other major cities, accused of "depravity", checking regular identity and marriage certificate checks in public places and cars, newspapers reported Saturday.

"We will fight against noise pollution from cars, all kinds of harassment, drug users and notably fights between groups of young people", Mohammad Mehdi Sadooqi, a senior official at the LEF said, quoted by the reformist daily "No Rooz", in a critical article headlined "Repression of Youth by the Police," quoted top Tehran police official as saying.

Like all Iranian armed forces, Police is under the direct command of Ayatollah Ali Khameneh'i, the leader of the Islamic Republic and unlike other countries; the Interior Ministry does not control it.

Couples arrested who are found to be not married can face punishment varying from cash fines to a few days in prison and even flogging, particularly if the girls are not wearing the required Islamic clothing or if alcoholic drink is discovered on the premises.

"Our patrols are spread across the city to re-establish social order and to fight against all forms of depravity", Sadooqi was also quoted as saying by the new pro-reform daily "E’temad".

Asked about the reasons behind the creation and the motives of the new patrol, Mr. Ne’mat Ahmadi, an outspoken lawyer said though it is not clear who has ordered the formation of the "green uniforms", but what they do is "utterly illegal" as most the checks and arrests are without legal warrants from competent authorities.

Other sources questioned by Iran Press Service said since the apparition of the new patrol, they have witnessed several clashes between the uniformed men and arrested people. "It seems that there is a new plan aimed at pushing the young ones to revolt against the clerical authorities", one Tehran resident said on condition of anonymity, adding that it might be in connection with the commemoration of the historic students uprising of 9 July 1999.

Young unmarried have been able to socialise more easily in the Islamic republic in recent years, notably since the first election of Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Khatami in May 1997.