Delhi Police told to control anger, avoid ‘villain’ tag during protests after CJP agitation: What fresh guidelines say

Delhi Police personnel have been advised through fresh guidelines issued by a central agency to stay composed during protests, avoid reacting to provocations and be mindful of demonstrators recording their actions, police sources said on Sunday.

The advisory comes amid allegations of police excesses during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar last month.

"Your anger is their satisfaction and content for them to portray you as villains," the guidelines state, while asking personnel to exercise restraint and remember that their conduct during protests could be recorded and closely scrutinised.

A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the directions were intended to ensure that personnel maintain professionalism and restraint while handling crowds and protests.

The officer stated similar directions were given to all officers deployed during the CJP protest.

"I had given the same directions to all the officers during the CJP protest -- not to give any reaction to any of the protesters and just to do their duty," the officer told PTI.

The advisory comes amid a series of protests in Delhi during which police personnel and demonstrators were frequently seen recording each other on mobile phones. Several such encounters later circulated online and became the subject of debate and criticism on social media.

What did guidelines say?

The guidelines emphasise that personnel should assume that their actions and reactions are being recorded on mobile phones and could subsequently circulate widely online.

Police personnel have also been advised to avoid unnecessary conversations with protesters and not respond to questions, taunts, emotional appeals or attempts to draw them into arguments. When an interaction is unavoidable, they should restrict their response to a simple request to cooperate and otherwise maintain silence, the guidelines say.

During the CJP protest, several videos of police personnel deployed were widely circulated online. In some of these videos, police personnel were seen involved in verbal altercations with protesters.

The instructions specifically caution personnel against reacting to mockery, humour, songs, dances, placards, mock salutes or other forms of behaviour intended to elicit a response.

They have also been told not to respond aggressively by pushing away mobile phones, snatching or throwing objects, shouting in anger or engaging in any physical confrontation unless required as part of their duty, the source said.

The advisory also addresses situations where protesters may attempt to evoke sympathy. Personnel have been asked not to get drawn into conversations involving personal circumstances, family issues, salaries or other emotional subjects.

Maintaining professional body language and respectful language has been stressed, with officers instructed to exercise restraint even in situations where protesters deliberately attempt to provoke them.

The personnel have also been asked to not accept flowers, food or any other items from the women protesters.

Videos circulating online showed some protesters offering flowers to police personnel. The demonstrators were heard saying that they were still willing to offer flowers to the police despite allegedly being lathi-charged. The contrasting scenes of confrontation and protesters presenting flowers drew criticism of the police from several social media users.

The guidelines also stress that maintaining law and order must not compromise public safety. Police personnel have been instructed to help protesters who fall ill or suffer injuries and keep routes clear for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly citizens.

The guidelines further call on personnel posted in district, railway and metro units to remain especially mindful of their conduct while operating in public spaces.