Every year, the Azad Maidan police look forward to the monsoon as they bring with it a welcome lull in the number of protests at the most important venue in their jurisdiction: Azad Maidan. The Hindu takes a look at the lessons learned in years of watching over protests at the sprawling ground which, if it could, would tell many a tale for posterity.
With the monsoon arriving in the city, the Azad Maidan police have a short period of respite, as the number of protests decreases in the rainy season for several reasons.
Officers said that a normal day for any officer or constable posted with the Azad Maidan police station is to monitor as many as 32 protests in a single day. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, thousands flock to the ground to make their voices heard.
The process, however, begins long before the protesters assemble.
Individuals and members of associations visit the police station or write to it, outlining the reasons behind their protest and seeking permission for gathering. The applications reach the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone I, who grants the permission to assemble. The protesters are also required to sign an affidavit, binding them to ensure that no law and order issues arise.
“We have to make sure activities that might threaten communal harmony or national security do not take place,” senior police inspector Vasant Wakhare, Azad Maidan police station, said.
Lessons for a lifetime
The monsoon, and its accompanying agricultural season, see the number of protests dwindle.
“Many farmers assemble at the ground regularly. But during monsoons, they are busy with farming. Thus, the number of protests fall significantly,” police inspector Avinash Aruntak said.
The other reason, according to officers, is the human tendency to avoid being out in the rain, unless it’s unavoidable, although some individuals or groups do turn up, officers said.
So, from June to September, the police get time to investigate long pending cases, and attend to paperwork and court-related duties. The lessons learnt at the Azad Maidan police station stay with the police officials throughout their careers.
Compassionate policing
“People dissent when they feel their suffering has gone unnoticed. During such times, it is our job to be compassionate and communicate effectively to avoid an escalation in tensions, to help them protest peacefully,” said Mr. Aruntak, who has witnessed over 1,500 protests in the two years of his posting here.
Over the years, the police personnel develop a rapport with the protesters and it is not uncommon to see the cops help out with food and water for them.
“During the farmers’ protest last year, we even sourced slippers for them,” Mr. Wakhare said.
He added, “Emergency vehicles like fire tenders and ambulances are always stationed near the grounds as a precautionary measure. Two police vans are also on standby with equipment like tear gas and water hoses in case of extreme situations.”
Miscreant ‘protesters’
The possibility of an untoward situation, however, always lurks at the back of the policemen’s minds. Miscreants hide under the garb of protesters and incite violence; the police monitor ground chatter and communicate with protesters regularly to avoid this.
Recalling the Maratha Kranti Morcha in November 2017, for which over two lakh people gathered at the ground for 17 days, Mr. Wakhare said, “We would be on duty till 2 a.m. We conducted medical check-ups and ensured all amenities for the protesters were present on site. After 17 consecutive days of the protest, Girish Mahajan, Minister of Medical Education and Water Resources, paid a visit, and the protest was dissolved.”
Painful memories
The infamous Azad Maidan riots of 2012, in which two people died and 54 were injured, still rankles in police memory. Over 80 people were arrested in connection with the case.
For now, the Azad Maidan police are looking forward to the upcoming lull before it is time for protests as usual.