Latest news with #M.A.Saleem
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Close on the heels of Bengaluru stampede, Karnataka police chief issues SOP for crowd management
The State police chief, M.A. Saleem, has issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for crowd management at events and mass gatherings. This comes in the backdrop of the stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru that killed 11 people on June 4. In the circular, Mr. Saleem said that 'police responses must prioritize life safety, protection of rights, prevention of property damage, and de-escalation of potential conflicts' and that 'early planning, coordination with stakeholders, and minimal use of force are essential guiding principles.' He said that 'modern gatherings are often spontaneous and influenced by social media, necessitating adaptive strategies,' prompting the SOP. The SOP stresses pre-event planning: anticipating the size of the crowd and directs police to conduct behavioural and spatial analysis simulations for crowd movement, identify bottlenecks and potential high-risk areas using available tools. The circular further asks the police to carry out a venue safety audit, which should include capacity limits, entry/exit routes, emergency evacuation plans, and communication infrastructure. 'Any venue that fails safety audits must not be approved for high-footfall events,' the circular said. The SOP also directs police to consider the possibility of counter-protests and demonstrations, risk to nearby vital installations, past behaviour at similar events and availability of emergency services. Control access to venues The SOP calls for development of a crowd management/operational plan approved by the Commissioner/SP which needs to be circulated among personnel. Apart from stressing on clearly defined roles for personnel deployed, the SOP calls for access control to venues wherever possible using technology. 'Use digital ticketing and reserved seating to streamline entry. Implement checkpoints with metal detectors, QR code scanning, or biometric systems as far as possible,' the SOP says. The SOP lays stress on a centralised but open communication with the crowd through a public address system and to provide real-time updates on wait times. It directs the medical emergency services to be connected to the PA control room, so that they respond to any call for help immediately. At the event, the SOP directs police personnel to use barricades to control access and organize queues, ensure separate access lanes for VIPs, differently abled, general public and staff, to have a spacious and organised holding area for crowd entry and mark all emergency exits clearly and keep them unobstructed. 'Avoid confrontation, use minimal force, if needed' The SOP clearly directs police personnel to avoid confrontation or provocation, maintain professional demeanour and avoid engagement with protesters unless necessary. When crowds need to be dispersed, police are to first explore non-coercive methods. They have been directed to isolate and detain only violent or disruptive individuals where possible. SOP directs personnel to provide three structured warnings before dispersal, identifying offenses and exit routes. It even directs officials to record warnings using audio visual equipment where feasible. 'Maintain logs of key decisions, warnings, and crowd behaviour. Record crowd activity through audio/video for accountability and evidence,' the SOP says.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
AI becoming formidable tool for cybercriminals: Report
The report, The State of AI-Powered Cybercrime: Threat & Mitigation Report 2025, recently released by the Global Initiative for Restructuring Environment and Management (GIREM), in partnership with automotive retail technology company Tekion, has highlighted how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a formidable tool in the hands of cybercriminals. According to the report, AI tools were involved in approximately 82.6% of all phishing emails, positioning AI in nearly eight out of every 10 phishing campaigns. In addition to the email text, AI is used to spin up realistic dashboards, register typo-squatting domains, and create dynamic, interactive phishing pages, making these attempts far more convincing and effective, it states. The study was officially unveiled by Dr. M.A. Saleem, Director-General & Inspector-General of Police of Karnataka. Escalating crimes The report recorded a trend of escalating cybercrimes and unprecedented financial losses in the country. According to it, India registered over 19.18 lakh cybercrime complaints in 2024, up from 15.56 lakh in 2023, reflecting a tenfold jump since 2019. 'Financial fraud remains the dominant motive, with Indian citizens losing an unprecedented ₹22,812 crore to cybercrime in 2024, nearly three times the losses recorded in 2023 (₹7,496 crore) and almost ten times that of 2022 (₹2,306 crore). Over the past four years, cybercriminals have siphoned off a staggering ₹33,165 crore from individuals and businesses across the country, with 'digital arrest' fraud alone contributing nearly ₹1,936 crore loss in 2024,' it noted. India ranked second globally in terms of being the most-targeted nation for crypto attacks in 2024, with 95 incidents, following the U.S. The country has also witnessed significant year-on-year increases in malware (11%), ransomware (22%), Internet of Things (IoT) attacks (59%), and an overall staggering 409% surge in crypto attacks. Vulnerable population The report also observed that senior citizens, women, and children are increasingly targeted by specific forms of cybercrime, including financial scams, harassment, and blackmail. In Karnataka, while Bengaluru saw a 77% increase in cybercrimes, cases in rural Karnataka nearly doubled (880 in 2022 to 1,600 in 2024). Tribal areas reported 12 cases in 2024 as against none in 2022. It has been found that cybercriminals have been increasingly deploying fake applications that mimic government platforms or bank helpdesks to install malware and steal sensitive data, including UPI IDs and PINs. Strengthening cyber resilience Increased digital literacy in schools, improved police training, mandatory cybersecurity education in the workplace, establishing cybersecurity labs in educational institutions, developing AI-based threat detection tools, monitoring cyberterrorism, and enhancing alert mechanisms for preparedness are some of the recommendations the report provides to enhance cyber resilience. 'Cybercrimes are increasingly penetrating society, targeting even vulnerable senior citizens. Awareness must be created to educate society about the emerging threats. Karnataka has been at the forefront of tackling cybercrimes. This report will complement our efforts,' said Mr. Saleem releasing the report.
The Star
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Karnataka government appoints Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner to probe stampede incident
Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans gather outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate the team's IPL 2025 victory in Bengaluru on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. - Photo: IANS BENGALURU, (India): The Congress-led Karnataka government has issued an order appointing senior IAS officer G. Jagadeesha, the Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, as the enquiry officer to probe the stampede incident near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, officials said. The incident which took place on Wednesday (June 4) resulted in at least 11 deaths and more than 40 injuries. The order was issued by the Deputy Secretary of the Internal Department (Law and Order) on Wednesday evening. It states that the investigator must complete the magisterial inquiry within 15 days and submit a report to the state government. The order specifies that the appointment has been made to investigate the reasons behind the stampede that occurred near the Chinnaswamy Stadium entrance gates and the subsequent deaths. It also states that the sequence of events, lapses, and the individuals responsible for those lapses must be comprehensively probed. This decision follows a report by the Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police, which mentions that on June 4, during the celebrations in front of Vidhana Soudha and Chinnaswamy Stadium, thousands of cricket fans gathered suddenly. The report indicates that despite all possible security measures being initiated due to the short notice for the programme, between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm, a barricade broke as people rushed inside the stadium, causing individuals to fall on each other. This led to the stampede, resulting in the deaths of 11 persons and injuries to 47, according to the State Police Chief's report cited in the order. The order also states that the state government has verified the report by the Karnataka DGP and IGP, M.A. Saleem, and decided to conduct a magisterial probe into the incident. The Karnataka government has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased victims. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced ordering of a magisterial probe earlier in the press conference on Wednesday. The Karnataka government had earlier cancelled the victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium, citing security reasons. Police said that they have been controlling the celebrating crowds since Tuesday night. Throughout the night, police personnel have been engaged in managing them and ensuring no untoward incidents occurred. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the stampede incident near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister's Office, quoting the PM, wrote: 'The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery.' Lok sabha Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday described the tragic stampede as 'heartbreaking'. 'My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Wishing a swift and full recovery to all those injured. In this hour of grief, I stand with the people of Bengaluru,' he wrote on X. 'The Karnataka government must provide all possible support and relief to the affected families. This tragedy is a painful reminder: no celebration is worth a human life. Every safety protocol for public events must be reviewed and strictly enforced — lives must always come first,' he said. - The Statesman/ANN
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Hans India
Mandya Tragedy: State DGP Issues Strict Guidelines to Curb Unsafe Vehicle Checks
Bengaluru: In the wake of public outrage over the tragic death of a child during a traffic check in Mandya, Karnataka's Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP-IGP), Dr. M. A. Saleem, has issued a stringent circular aimed at reforming traffic enforcement practices across the state. The circular, released on Monday, explicitly prohibits arbitrary vehicle checks, sudden roadblocks, and the practice of forcibly removing vehicle keys during inspections. It directs traffic police to prioritise road safety and ensure accountability during all enforcement activities. Key directives from the DGP's circular includes: No Random Checks: Police are barred from stopping vehicles solely for document verification unless a visible traffic violation has occurred. Stop Only With Just Cause: Vehicle checks must be conducted only when a clear offence is observed. During such checks: Barricading on highways must be avoided. Vehicles must not be stopped abruptly on main roads. Officers are prohibited from chasing vehicles or seizing their keys. The DGP has also given elaborate Mandatory Use of Safety Equipment: All personnel must wear reflective jackets, carry LED batons during evening checks, and use body-worn cameras to ensure transparency and safety. Technology-Driven Enforcement: Traffic management centres and the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) units are directed to adopt contactless enforcement using technology. Public Awareness Campaign: The police will soon launch an awareness drive to educate citizens about traffic rules and promote voluntary compliance. No Interception on Highways: Under no circumstances should speeding vehicles be stopped on national or state highways. Instead, enforcement must rely on Speed Traffic Violation Recording (STVR) systems for prosecution. Precautions at Check Posts: At least 100 to 150 metres ahead of any check-post, police must place reflective cones and warning signage to alert drivers in advance. Safe Night Checks: Where necessary, night-time vehicle checks must be conducted near traffic junctions or signal points, not in isolated areas. Law and Order Police Not to Block Roads: Police officers assigned to law and order duties must not carry out vehicle checks or set up roadblocks on highways. Any such operations for security purposes must involve traffic police coordination. The circular follows mounting concerns over unregulated and often hazardous traffic enforcement measures that have resulted in public inconvenience—and in extreme cases, tragedy. The new directions are seen as part of the state police's effort to ensure citizen safety without compromising law enforcement standards.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- The Hindu
Karnataka: State police chief asks personnel to refrain from random vehicle checks
The new State police chief, M.A. Saleem, on Saturday, issued directions to police personnel across the State to refrain from random vehicle checks without valid reasons. In the circular issued on Saturday, May 31, he cited two cases - a toddler being killed and a couple injured while trying to avoid random checks by traffic police in Mandya on May 26 and another incident from Davangere where a constable was mowed down by a speeding goods vehicle in an attempt to skip being caught during a random check on May 13. He said in both incidents, traffic police had failed to take preventive and precautionary measures during checks endangering their own personal safety and also safety of motorists. Mr. Saleem directed the traffic police to check only if they come across visible violations and refrain from confronting and trying to stop vehicles moving fast. He directed the officials on traffic duty not to stop speeding vehicles on highways and, in case of inspection drives, to 'use reflective rubber cones 100-150 metres away, so the vehicles have ample time to slow down'. He also barred the use of zigzag barricades for enforcement, pulling the rider or pillion rider from the bike while they are on it or taking away the vehicle keys. He also directed the law and order policemen to try and limit holding nakabandi on highways and to use the help of traffic policemen wherever needed. Traffic policemen are required to wear reflective jackets during checks and use LED batons in the evenings and nights, he further said. 'Body worn cameras should be compulsorily worn during physical vehicle inspection, and the special drives should be carried in the well lit areas,' Mr. Saleem added. Referring to contactless enforcement, Mr. Saleem directed the traffic policemen not to chase vehicles violating norms but to note down the registration numbers and inform the necessary control rooms. In zones where traffic management centres of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) are established, he advised the policemen to use contactless enforcement through ITMS.
