Mangaluru City Police have issued a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at ensuring that public demonstrations are conducted peacefully and with minimal disruption to daily life. The directives, released by City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH, emphasize the police department’s commitment to facilitating lawful protests while prioritizing public safety and order.
Organizers planning any form of protest are now required to secure written permission from the authorities in advance. This process is designed to be consistent and accessible, with permissions reportedly granted to all applicants who meet the necessary statutory requirements. The conditions attached to these permissions are not intended to stifle the right to protest but rather to manage logistical aspects such as traffic flow, ensuring access for emergency services, and safeguarding both participants and the general public.
Commissioner Reddy highlighted a recent demonstration where permission was granted despite the organizers not providing an estimated turnout or a detailed assembly plan. In such instances, a standard undertaking was obtained, and significant police resources were deployed, including personnel and traffic diversions, in anticipation of a large gathering. However, the unexpected turnout led to substantial traffic congestion and inconvenience for commuters and public transport users.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of cooperation from protest organizers. He urged them to provide realistic estimates of anticipated attendees to enable the police to pre-arrange appropriate logistics and security measures. Furthermore, demonstrations are expected to take place in locations capable of safely accommodating the predicted crowd size.
These guidelines come in the context of several past incidents in Mangaluru that have seen protests evolving into confrontations. In December 2019, prohibitory orders were imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure ahead of planned protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. At that time, the police commissioner then, P.S. Harsha, had stated that such measures were a precaution to maintain law and order. However, the protests led to clashes, police action including lathi charges and tear gas, and resulted in the deaths of two individuals due to police firing. Subsequent reports indicated criticism of the police’s handling of the situation, with allegations of excessive force and biased actions.
More recently, in August 2022, prohibitory orders were again implemented in Mangaluru following communal tensions and incidents of violence. These orders restricted public gatherings to no more than five people and banned various activities in public spaces, including sloganeering and the display of posters, with the aim of preserving peace.
The current guidelines from Commissioner Reddy aim to preempt such issues by establishing clear protocols. The emphasis on obtaining prior permission and providing realistic crowd estimates underscores a commitment to organized public expression. The legal framework for protests in India, rooted in Article 19 of the Constitution, guarantees the rights to freedom of speech and assembly. However, these rights are subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order, security, and the rights of others, as has been consistently affirmed by judicial pronouncements.
The police department’s stance is to facilitate lawful dissent while ensuring that the exercise of these fundamental rights does not impede public safety or the rights of citizens not involved in the demonstrations. The success of these guidelines, the department believes, relies heavily on the responsible cooperation of protest organizers and participants, fostering an environment where democratic expression can coexist with civic order.
The Chenab Times News Desk