Gujarat High Court satisfied after State says will use drones, CCTV, body cameras to check communal violence during religious processions

The Gujarat High Court recently expressed satisfaction over the safety measures taken by the State Police to prevent incidents like mob lynching, communal violence etc during the festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Parshuram Jayanti and other religious or political processions [Azajkhan Hamidkhan Pathan vs State of Gujarat]..A bench of acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav was satisfied with the affidavit filed by the State government listing out its preparations for preventing any kind of communal disturbances during the celebrations of these festivals and even during religious or political processions."We are satisfied with the action taken by the State Authorities. However, we are sure that the State Authorities shall continue to issue similar type of instructions in all such festivals," the bench said in its order..The order was passed after the State through Government Pleader Manisha Lavkumar Shah submitted an affidavit listing down various measures including instructions issued to religious leaders, action proposed against history sheeters, identifying sensitive areas during the procession, ban on use of loudspeakers etc during such processions. The affidavit said that authorities would make full use of drones, CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras etc to videograph the entire processions and keep tab on trouble makers. "Directions are issued to keep reserves at the strategic locations well equipped with vehicles, lathi-helmets, body protectors, tear smoke ammunitions, rubber bullets, VARUN (water cannon), VAJRA (automatic tear smoke launch vehicle), communication systems under the leadership of PSI/PI/Dy.SP/SP to respond to any incident and to take control of situation," the affidavit underlined.The affidavit further said that the State has issued instructions to coordinate with religious leaders regarding various events scheduled as part of celebrations and to carry out a detailed threat assessment. "Instructions have been issued to take preventive measures against the criminals who have past criminal records and history and potential head strong persons who would cause troubles. Further instructions have been issued to identify the places of congregation and procession routes which are common for both the procession and festivities of Eid-Ul-Fitr as well as Parshuram Jayanti," the State submitted..Further it was submitted that the State has instructed to coordinate with religious leaders, community leaders, elected people’s representatives, members of peace committees, members of moholla committees and other eminent citizens to maintain peace and order during the celebrations. The local police may position key community leaders at important locations to prevent any conflicts between communities, it was submitted. "With a view to prevent spread of rumours mongering and posting of objectionable contents and to take firm action against offenders, the Cyber Crime Police Stations have been geared up to monitor the social media platforms and to remove objectionable contents in coordination with stakeholders. Instructions have been issued to inform to all the organisers and the participants regarding not to use objectionable content through Public Address System, DJs and Loud Speakers during processions," the State said..Besides these, the State has also deployed requisite number of personnel including police, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Home Guards, Gram Rakshak Dals at various religious places, communally sensitive locations and to step up Police Patrols covering important areas..Further, the State also informed the bench that from the period between 2018 till date, Gujarat has witnessed seven such communal riots. With respect to the most recent riots which took place in Vadodara and Gir-Somnath area during the Ram Navami violence this year, the State informed the Court that four criminal cases were lodged at Vadodara and two in Gir-Somnath district. It was further pointed out that 67 persons were arrested in Vadodara and 97 in Gir-Somnath..Senior Advocate Percy Kavina along with advocate KR Koshti appeared for the Petitioner. Government Pleader Manisha Lavkumar Shah along with advocate Shruti Pathak represented the State. .[Read Order]