Latest news with #SOP
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Post Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, police issue SOP for crowd management
BENGALURU: Following the stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives and injured over 60 people, the Karnataka police have issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for crowd management at public events and mass gatherings. The move comes after Home Minister G Parameshwara announced that the government would create specific guidelines to prevent such tragedies in the future. The SOP emphasises prioritising safety to life, protection of rights, de-escalation of conflict and prevention of damage to property. It notes that modern gatherings are often spontaneous and driven by social media, requiring adaptive strategies and rapid coordination. On June 26, Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) MA Saleem circulated the SOP to all police commissioners, inspectors general, superintendents of police (including Railways), and other senior officers across the state. The SOP mentions simulation-based risk assessment, mandatory venue safety audits and close coordination with event organisers. The police are required to assess potential high-risk zones, footfall estimates and emergency preparedness before approving any large-scale event. Event-specific crowd management plans must include roles for police and security staff, movement control, medical aid and evacuation routes. The SOP encourages the use of digital ticketing, biometric verification and separate access points for VIPs and general attendees. Trained personnel should be deployed at key access points and high-density areas on the ground. Entry screening, queue management, signage and communication infrastructure (such as public address systems) must be in place before any event begins, it adds. Officers must follow strict conduct during events — avoiding confrontation, maintaining professionalism, and ensuring minimal use of force. In emergencies like stampedes or fires, designated response teams must act according to predefined protocols. SOP aims to standardise crowd control, while respecting public safety Dispersal procedures include issuing three structured warnings and identifying exit routes. The SOP also mentions the procedures to be followed in cases where arrests are required. It calls for thorough documentation, post-event review, and adaptation based on local needs. It aims to standardise crowd control across Karnataka while respecting public safety, legal norms, and human dignity.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- 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.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Perak Assures NR-REE Mining Will Not Harm Environment
LENGGONG, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Perak government has assured that all mining activities involving non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) will not harm the environment. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said although rare earth mining presents a new opportunity for generating state revenue, the government will not compromise on protecting the people's interests. He said the state government guarantees that NR-REE activities will utilise modern mining technologies to improve efficiency and safety while safeguarding the environment. 'When we initiated the NR-REE mining pilot project in Mukim Kenering, Hulu Perak, one of the key requirements was strict compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures, particularly those concerning environmental protection. 'The latest extraction method for this mineral no longer involves digging, but instead uses the In-Situ Leaching (ISL) method, which involves injecting ammonium sulfate solution into the ground to dissolve the rare earth elements, which are then pumped back to the surface for processing,' he said at a press conference after presenting the third-year progress report of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan, here today. Saarani said the state government would not allow NR-REE mining activities if it does not comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) and the requirements set by the relevant technical agencies. 'NR-REE mining using the ISL method is the latest sustainable approach with controlled environmental impact, low operational costs, and good worker safety standards. 'Therefore, we do not have to worry about landslides, there will be no clearing of trees, and the forest reserve itself will be protected. If it causes environmental damage, we will not allow it,' he said. Previously, media reports stated that the state government had identified new potential NR-REE mineral sites in three additional districts apart from Hulu Perak, with estimated reserves of approximately 1.7 million metric tonnes.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Compulsory injunction orders set to make secret child marriages difficult in Banswara
There will be no more secret child marriages in southern Rajasthan's tribal-dominated Banswara district, with the district administration making the process for obtaining an injunction order from the court compulsory for any reported or impending instance. A standard operating procedure (SOP) has also been issued outlining the steps for intervention and enforcement of law. With over 70% of its population comprising the tribal communities, Banswara district is vulnerable to child marriages. As per the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the child marriage rate in Banswara was 25%, which was higher than the national average of 23.3%. The mandatory injunction orders are set to change this situation and make the secret solemnisation of child marriages nearly impossible. Issued by the court of the Judicial Magistrate under Section 13(1) of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, an injunction order empowers the authorities to proactively prevent a child marriage. Criminal offence Banswara Collector Indrajeet Yadav has recently issued the SOP while noting that the court's injunction order is a 'binding legal directive' and its violation constitutes a criminal offence. The SOP aims at not only stopping child marriages on the spot but also preventing them from being conducted in secrecy at a later date. Mr. Yadav's directive, issued to key officials of the Police Department, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the District Child Protection Cell, has called for compliance with the SOP in an effective manner. The administration is organising a district-level training programme on the subject for the officials concerned. Banswara-based Beneshwar Lok Vikas Sansthan's (BLVS) director Yatin Upadhyay told The Hindu that the administration's SOP had laid emphasis on the importance of the legal tool of injunction. 'This is a crucial order. Earlier, when we stopped child marriages, families often gave verbal assurances or signed undertakings, but went ahead with the marriage in secret later,' he said. Mr. Upadhyay affirmed that with a court-issued injunction order, it would become a matter of legal record, and any breach would be punishable. 'This will act as a strong legal deterrent and instil fear of law, which is necessary to make Banswara district child marriage-free,' he said. BLVS is a partner of Just Rights for Children, which is a civil society network comprising over 250 voluntary groups primarily using legal interventions to fight crimes against children. According to the SOP, joint teams comprising members from the Women and Child Development Department, police, and local non-government organisations must respond immediately to any reports of an impending child marriage. 'They are to prepare a detailed report including the names and ages of the bride and groom, date of the proposed wedding, and family details,' the SOP directive stated. Based on this report, the families will be presented before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, who will then make a formal request to the Judicial Magistrate to pass an injunction order. Such an order will clearly state that the girl and boy can be married only after reaching the legal ages of 18 and 21, respectively. Any violation of this directive will invite criminal action. Just Rights for Children's national convener Ravi Kant said the injunction order was a 'highly effective judicial tool', which would help prevent child marriages if supported by collaboration across departments, civil society, and communities. The courts in several districts of Rajasthan have passed injunction orders in the past outlawing matrimonial alliances made at the tender age of children. The initiative taken in Banswara is the first instance of the administration seeking legal support for stopping child marriages as a measure of social reform.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Cops open fire, foil robbery bid on Visakha Exp
Visakhapatnam: A robbery attempt on the Bhubaneswar–Secunderabad Visakha Express was foiled near Tummala Cheruvu in Palnadu district in the early hours of Sunday. Alert Govt Railway Police (GRP) personnel on escort duty opened fire on the robbers and successfully prevented the heist. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The robbers managed to flee, prompting a joint manhunt by the GRP and Railway Protection Force (RPF) to identify and apprehend the culprits. According to Guntur Railway DSP B Akkeshwara Rao, unidentified individuals pulled the train's alarm chain between 3:30am and 3:45am As per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), escort personnel disembarked and raised an alarm to alert passengers. The robbers, however, escaped into nearby fields. Despite warnings, the gang — along with accomplices waiting near the tracks — pelted stones at the police. In response, escort personnel fired five rounds from a 9mm pistol and four rounds from a .303 rifle into the air. No injuries were reported, and passengers remained unharmed. The train was halted for 10-12 minutes at Tummala Cheruvu following the incident. Police suspect the same gang may be behind previous robbery attempts in the Piduguralla–Nadikudi stretch, including a recent attempt in the Visakha–Charlapalli special train. Investigators believe the gang may be operating from Bihar and Maharashtra.
