To handle mobs more effectively, the Mumbai police are now opting for preventive bandobasts. Rather than use teargas and bullets to control a mob, the cops are now trying to prevent a mob build-up by taking local people into confidence and through strategic police deployment.

The shift was evident during the bandobast preceding the verdict in the Ramabai Nagar police firing trial. Months before the verdict was announced, the police had started making preparations and taking community leaders and religious heads from the locality into confidence.

“We conducted a survey of the area to check sensitive points as well as routes that lead to the highway. We were also determined to establish a rapport between the police and the public and met several local community and religious leaders. The leaders assured us that in the event of an advancing mob, they would try to pacify it,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone VII, Rajkumar Vatkar.

Over 350 police, SRPF and riot control personnel were deployed at critical points to prevent a mob build-up.

“Our foremost concern was to prevent the mob from obstructing the highway in case a riot broke out. For that we had big squads covering the D B Pawar chowk and the site of the statue, as the mob would have to pass either of these spots to reach the highway. Over a 100 personnel were deployed for highway security alone,” said Vatkar.

“We had set up action squads that were briefed to follow a pattern of procedures. In case a mob situation arose, our personnel would have begun negotiating with the members of the mob with help of local leaders. In case that failed teargas, lathi charge, rubber/plastic bullets etc. would have been the next option,” said Vatkar.

... contd.