Mangaluru Police Order Accurate Crowd Projections to Prevent Public Safety Risks
Following a surge of 5,000 demonstrators that nearly triggered a stampede, police officials now demand precise attendee estimates for all future protests. New directives emphasize venue suitability and strict adherence to agreed-upon logistics to maintain public order.
Public Safety Threats Trigger Revised Protest Protocol
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy issued a formal advisory on Saturday requiring organizers of public demonstrations to submit realistic attendee projections. This directive follows a Friday protest at Town Hall regarding the NEET-UG paper leak, where actual participation far exceeded organizer expectations. Despite initial estimates of moderate turnout, approximately 5,000 individuals gathered at the site, paralyzing local traffic and creating hazardous conditions.
Reddy noted that the Town Hall was physically incapable of managing such a high volume of people. He stressed that a catastrophic stampede was narrowly avoided only because the venue featured two separate gates. Moving forward, the police department requires organizers to select locations that can safely house their expected numbers without endangering the public or participants.
Logistical Compliance for Democratic Assembly
While affirming that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, the Commissioner outlined specific requirements for future applications:
- Advance Notice: Groups must apply for written permission well before the scheduled event.
- Venue Suitability: Demonstrations must occur in spaces that prevent overcrowding and allow for emergency access.
- Timeline Adherence: Organizers must follow agreed-upon schedules and routes to reduce community disruption.
- Statutory Compliance: Permission will be granted to all applicants who meet standard regulatory safety benchmarks.
Regulation Without Suppression
The Commissioner clarified that these guidelines do not aim to stifle political expression. Instead, they serve as mechanisms to regulate traffic flow and ensure emergency services remain unobstructed. During the NEET-UG protest, police granted permits despite the lack of a clear assembly plan or crowd estimate. The department subsequently had to deploy emergency personnel and execute unplanned traffic diversions to manage the unexpected 5,000-strong crowd. The new mandate places the burden of logistics and crowd transparency on the organizers to prevent future public safety failures.
Source: The Hindu — Cities
