Delhi Police tightens protest intelligence after July 20 Jantar Mantar clashes

Delhi Police will seek far more than a protest venue and an estimated headcount before major demonstrations in the capital.

Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar has directed the Special Branch, the force’s intelligence wing, to collect and analyse at least 10 sets of details in advance. These include the expected number of participants, where they are coming from, how they were mobilised, the roles of organisers, the protest’s demands, accommodation and local contacts in Delhi, organisational affiliations, funding sources and crowd logistics.

The change follows the July 20 protest around Jantar Mantar, where an estimated 30,000 young people gathered and attempted to march towards Parliament. Clashes followed, and police used force to disperse the crowd.

Delhi Police is also checking its wireless communication network and has ordered shortcomings to be fixed, with the aim of improving coordination between senior officers and personnel on the ground. The focus will be on protests drawing large groups from outside Delhi or involving multiple organisations.

Jantar Mantar remains the capital’s designated protest stretch, as GTK previously explained.