To Control the Crowd

S.K. Sood

During our induction training in the BSF in 1977, an elaborate demonstration was laid down to explain the methodology of crowd control to us.

A group of people depicting police were confronted by noisy slogan shouting crowd aggressively advancing towards them. The commentator kept informing us about various types of crowd and actions to be taken at each successive stage. The crowd was informed to disperse as Section 144 had been imposed. They were regularly being cautioned to calm down and send their representative for discussion. They were informed that police will be compelled to use force if the crowd crossed the tape laid down in the area.

We were informed that the tape would be replaced by a landmark in actual conditions. We were told that force should not be used indiscriminately, and the police should identify leader of the crowd and watch his activities to discern crowd behaviour. The commentator also informed us that any use of force will have to be only after explicit orders from the magistrate who must not be allowed to go out of sight. The crowd did not pay heed and crossed the line. The magistrate was duly asked to authorise use of force. The police upon receiving the orders opened with a single round of rifle aiming at the lower limbs of the leader. The leader fell down and the crowd dispersed. The leader was immediately rushed for medical attention after first aid.

During the post demonstration briefing we were informed about the nuances of practicing ‘use of minimum force’. It was also explained that the stages of lathi charge and tear smoke munition were not included in the demonstration as BSF is an armed force and does not carry lathis.

The right to protest peacefully is guaranteed by the Constitution of India. Articles 19(1)(a) gives to all citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression, and Article 19(1)(b) gives the right to assemble peaceably and without arms subject to reasonable restrifctions under Articles 19(2) and 19(3), which includes restrictions to maintain public order among other things.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, the Police Act 1861 and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973 empower the law enforcing authorities to deal with such agitations, protests, and unlawful assemblies. The crowd or an assembly declared unlawful can be dispersed by use of force under the provisions of Sections 129-132 of the C