A policeman reaches the spot first not only when there is a crime, but also when there are protests and demonstrations. Only after the men in khaki analyse the situation and ensure there is peace, do the government or other officials either arrive on the scene or send their representatives to sort out the issue.
Depending on the sensitivity of the issues and the mood of the protesting groups, police inspectors or their higher- ups in the rank of Deputy Commissioner or Superintendent of Police, go to the spot directly to ensure that the problem is set right amicably. While some road blockades are brief, there are instances when national highways have been blocked for hours.
Well, the police undergo special training to handle such situations. Police inspectors say that “mob psychology” is part of their syllabus at the police academy where they undergo such training. They are taught the art of handling a mob without letting the situation go out of hand. But the art of tactfully handling situations is gained with experience. Uniformed personnel win appreciation if they manage to prevent the mob from taking to the road or when the mob clears the road blockade in a very short time. But, they undergo tremendous pressure from higher officials if the process of clearing the protesters gets delayed.
Officers clarified that they do not give any assurances to the protesters but only play the role of a catalyst between those participating in such demonstrations and the authorities who should come to the place to redress the people’s grievances. The police also try to ensure that there is no clash between the two sides. The last resort for handling a group organising a road blockade or an unauthorised protest is to remove them from the road under provision 151 (arrest for preventing them from committing a cognisable offence) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
(Reporting by
M.K. Ananth)