Visakhapatnam: Anticipation of crowd behaviour, facilities for timely communication with the people and proper signages are important to manage crowds and prevent stampedes, opined senior police officers.
“I have been serving in this capacity since 1996 and I understand the importance of anticipating crowd behavior. When our initial plans fail, we quickly pivot to Plan B, then Plan C, and so on. We always maintain the holding areas to manage unexpected surges in crowd size.”
“The core principle of any crowd management strategy is to prevent stampedes at all costs,” said Visakhapatnam police commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle on Thursday, the commissioner said one should avoid factors that could provoke a stampede. Having worked in this area for six months, he said he built rapport with the community. People recognize him and trust his leadership, he claimed.
“For instance, during yesterday's Modi road show, we could effectively control the situation because the crowd responded positively to my instructions,’’ he stated.
Recalling an incident in 2010 when he was the Guntur SP, he said during a flood crisis in Repalle, local villagers had gathered angrily around the district collector and other officials who were assessing the situation.
“By chance, I was present with just one constable. Despite being surrounded by hundreds of people, I calmly instructed them to step back and they did so immediately. I was able to escort the collector and state ministers to safety because the community recognized my authority and trusted my judgment,’’ he said.
Commissioner of police of Nagpur and an expert in crowd management, Ravindra Singal, in his articles, highlighted the complexities of managing large crowds, emphasizing the need for systematic planning in events like the Kumbh Mela.
Singal, who obtained his PhD in crowd management, noted that such gatherings could be anticipated, allowing for preparations regarding local life impacts, transportation logistics, entry and exit routes and crowd dispersal strategies.
He pointed out, “When crowds form spontaneously, leading to mob mentality, it poses significant challenges. Anticipation is crucial, understanding the expected number of attendees and the reasons for their gathering is vital for effective crowd management.”
He stressed that intelligence gathering often fails, a situation exacerbated by poor communication.
The expert cop drew parallels with past tragedies, such as the 2005 incident on the Tigris River, where mismanagement of crowd control resulted in fatalities. Singal argues that anticipation and proactive management could prevent such disasters. He cited other examples like the Sabarimala incident and the Mandra Devi festival stampede, where panic triggered by rumors led to chaos.
To mitigate these risks, he advocates two key measures: establishing a robust public address system and clear signage in multiple languages. Effective communication with attendees is essential to prevent panic and ensure safety during large gatherings. Without proper communication, the likelihood of disaster increases significantly.
