Cameras on uniforms, speakers on streets: Delhi Police changes approach amid claims of manhandling

Delhi Police adopted a new approach to crowd control, marking a shift in their tactics amid claims of manhandling, following three days of criticism over the handling of protesters. On Tuesday, officers were equipped with body-worn cameras and speakers, providing a visible deterrent against false allegations. The move was undertaken as part of the INDIA bloc's protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who had been in office since 2019.

The body-worn devices, attached to the uniforms of police personnel, were actively recording interactions to maintain accountability. As of Tuesday, around 80 cameras had been distributed among ground staff, with the deployment extending to nearly all personnel up to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). Police officers were instructed to record their interactions while managing crowds, ensuring a more transparent approach to crowd control.

This deployment of body-worn cameras was not a novel concept for the Delhi Police, with traffic personnel having utilized them for years to record interactions while issuing challans. However, their extensive use on this scale during crowd-control duties marked a recent development. The police were also seen largely without batons or other weapons as they prepared to manage the protests near the Election Commission headquarters.

Instead of batons, speakers were employed to urge people not to gather in the area, under prohibitory orders issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The police force was bolstered by over five companies of paramilitary personnel, alongside local police, deployed along the routes expected to be taken by the protesters. Multi-layered barricades were erected outside the EC office's main entrance and around Jantar Mantar, an iconic landmark in the city.

The protests had been ongoing since October 2, as Opposition parties held demonstrations demanding Kumar's resignation. In response to the unrest, the police registered nine FIRs in connection with the protests, including alleged violations of prohibitory orders, rioting, and attacks on police personnel while discharging their duties. Eighteen individuals had been arrested, while over 300 people were detained and subsequently released.

The Delhi Police is bracing for another protest, with the Cockroach Janta Party announcing plans to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10 as part of a nationwide movement seeking Kumar's resignation.