The Delhi Police has received a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from central agencies focusing on de-escalation and professional conduct during protests. The guidelines aim to prevent confrontations that could be amplified on social media.
New Guidelines for Protest Management
The SOP instructs police personnel to remain calm and avoid provocation. Officers should not engage in arguments or emotional responses to protesters' actions. Interactions with protesters are assumed to be recorded. The aim is to prevent officers from being depicted negatively online.
"Your angry face is their content. They are not fighting you. They are making a film in which they want you to play the villain. Refuse that role," the SOP states. These directives have been distributed to all 15 districts and specialized units of the Delhi Police.
Focus on De-escalation Tactics
Police personnel are advised against reacting to taunts, jokes, or emotional appeals from protesters. If faced with actions like loud crying or falling at their feet, officers should not debate or show agreement. A brief statement like, "Please cooperate, we are doing our duty," is suggested, followed by silence.
The SOP prohibits actions such as pushing away phones, grabbing items, throwing objects, or shouting in anger. Officers should politely accept or refuse gestures like flowers or drinks. Maintaining professional conduct is paramount, assuming all interactions are being filmed.
Prioritizing Assistance and Safety
The guidelines also detail how to handle injured protesters. Police must provide immediate aid and call for ambulances. Routes for emergency vehicles must be cleared. Barricades can be moved to allow passage for ambulances, schoolchildren, and patients.
Male officers are instructed to avoid touching women protesters. Female officers should handle such situations when possible. Officers must also ensure children separated from their parents during demonstrations are cared for until reunification.
Background to the SOP
The new SOP follows clashes during a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20. Protesters attempting to march towards Parliament over examination irregularities faced intervention from security personnel. Reports indicate injuries to over 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters. A Rapid Action Force (RAF) member reportedly fired pellet rounds during the incident.
The broader objective is to maintain law and order while minimizing unnecessary confrontations. The SOP aims to ensure police conduct remains professional in the current environment of widespread mobile recording and social media sharing.
