Volunteers scan crowd for unwanted elements, police in plainclothes
Protesters at Jantar Mantar have organized volunteer-led security measures to maintain order and protect participants during ongoing demonstrations against the NEET paper leak. Volunteers are actively screening crowds to prevent infiltration by plainclothes police and to ensure the safety of vulnerable attendees.
Why it matters
This reflects the self-policing strategies adopted by protest movements to maintain non-violent discipline and protect participants from perceived state overreach.
Three days after Delhi Police mounted baton charges and fired tear gas on protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, volunteers at Jantar Mantar are not taking any chances. On Thursday, almost a km-long human chain shielded and guided the protesters up to the entry and exit points, with volunteers carefully scanning the crowd for unwanted elements. They also ensured that security personnel in plainclothes and without name badges do not enter the protest site disguised as commoners.
“We have formed human chains to keep the protest peaceful and maintain discipline. We are also making sure women, children, and older people stay safe and no one is passing any derogatory remarks,” said Hari Iqbal, a volunteer from Bihar who joined the demonstration from the first day on June 20.
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