Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 25: Delhi Police is set to strengthen its intelligence machinery, with particular emphasis on the Special Branch, ahead of major protests, public meetings and gatherings in the national capital.
The move follows recent demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place and directions from the Delhi Police Commissioner to improve the force's intelligence preparedness and ensure better assessment of large public gatherings.
Under the new approach, the intelligence department and Special Branch will collect detailed information ahead of major protests and public meetings. The objective is to determine the likely scale and nature of an event and identify potential law and order concerns so that adequate arrangements can be made in advance.
Before a major demonstration, police officials will assess the expected number of participants and identify the organisations, groups and individuals likely to attend. The exercise is aimed at addressing situations in which organisers provide a limited estimate while seeking permission but the actual turnout is significantly higher.
The Special Branch will also gather information about protest organisers and prominent leaders. Officials will examine the demands being raised, the reasons behind the demonstration and its broader objectives.
Police will also seek information on how participants are travelling to Delhi, where they are likely to stay and what arrangements have been made for their return after the event.
The intelligence exercise will extend to the organisations involved in the demonstrations. Officers will examine their links with one another, their activities and their local contacts in Delhi.
Information regarding financial resources and logistical arrangements supporting the gatherings will also be collected to provide police with a comprehensive assessment of preparations for large-scale events.
Officers have been instructed to evaluate the expected crowd size, participation of different groups and the possible impact of a demonstration on law and order.
The renewed focus on intelligence comes after recent protests at Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place, including demonstrations involving the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) and students that attracted sizeable crowds.
Following these events, senior police officials have stressed the need for a stronger intelligence mechanism capable of gathering and analysing information about major gatherings well before they take place.
Delhi Police is also working to strengthen its wireless communication system to improve coordination between personnel deployed on the ground and senior officers during large protests.
The enhanced communication network is expected to ensure that information from the field reaches senior officials quickly, enabling prompt decisions and action whenever necessary.
Police officials have maintained that the initiative is not aimed at preventing peaceful demonstrations. Instead, the focus is on ensuring that adequate information about major gatherings is available in advance, including details about organisers, participants, demands, expected crowds and logistical arrangements.
With better intelligence and advance assessment, police will be able to plan deployments, traffic management and other security arrangements more effectively and respond promptly to any law and order situation that may emerge.