Volunteers trained to manage crowd

Anna Hazare's symbolic protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday turned out to be a well-organised event. Rajat Arora reports.

Anna Hazare's symbolic protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday turned out to be a well-organised event.

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The Delhi Police had made special security arrangements for the event. This included briefing the volunteers of India Against Corruption on how to manage the crowd. Besides this, around 600 policemen, including 60 women police personal, were deployed at the venue.

"We had briefed the volunteers on the management of crowds. They had their own walkie-talkies to communicate, along with other necessary equipment. I think they managed it really well, and the crowd didn't exceed the limit either. We had at most expected a gathering of 7,000 people," said a senior police officer.

Separate entry and exit points were made at the venue to manage the crowd movement.

Organisers had installed three big screens at the venue so that crowds didn't run towards the stage, as they did at the Ramlila Maidan.

"Special security arrangements was made VIPs, who participated in the debate. No traffic congestion was experienced in the area. It all went off very peacefully without disrupting traffic," the officer added.

The area was also under the eye of 10 CCTV cameras. "There were other four protests at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. So, we were being extra cautious," the officer added.