Ramdev experience helped cops deal with Anna campaign

“Unlike Ramdev’s event,hardly any provocative speeches were made during Hazare’s campaign. We decided to refrain from using force on Anna or his supporters after we took the people’s reaction into account on August 16. We made a mistake by trusting Ramdev. Though it was supposed to be a yoga camp,he had started mobilising supporters from neighbouring states for a protest,” said Sudhir Yadav,Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern range). Delhi Police won accolades from Team Anna as well as the public for the way it handled the Hazare campaign.

“From the very beginning,we had made it clear to Team Anna that the health of their leader was the most important thing. We told them that we will not allow them to force Anna to continue his fast. If the team of doctors had told us at any point of time that he could not fast anymore,we would have taken steps to rush him to the hospital. Team Anna was given the responsibility of maintaining peace among his supporters,” said Yadav.

An officer was deputed outside Anna’s room on a round-the-clock basis to give information on his health. Volunteers played a key role in controlling the situation,said Yadav.

“There was no direct interaction with Anna,but his team supported us wholeheartedly,” he added.

The officer and his team,under the supervision of Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dharmender Kumar,conducted day-to-day meetings where emphasis was put on handling the issue sensitively.