Ensure Robust Security Measures for Managing Social and Religious Events

Home Department issues guidelines

In compliance with the instructions of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Home Department has issued guidelines for enhancing security measures at social and religious events across the state. Collectors, Superintendents of Police, and Police Commissioners of Bhopal and Indore have been instructed to implement necessary arrangements to prevent and manage potential incidents such as chaos, stampedes, or other accidents. These measures aim to ensure better organization and safety at various social and large-scale religious gatherings, thereby reducing the likelihood and impact of possible accidents through improved management.

The Home Department has directed the administration to issue clear and written instructions to the organizers. Senior administrative officers should visit the venue, assess the circumstances, and ensure that all arrangements are made to control possible disturbances.

Fix the number of devotees at entry and exit

To prevent potential stampedes, proper barricading of entry and exit routes should be ensured along with effective crowd control measures. Arrangements should be made to prevent sudden influxes of people moving in opposite directions and to avoid conflicts between large groups moving in opposite directions.

Determine separate routes

Separate routes should be set for the movement of devotees and as far as possible, separate arrangements should be made for men and women. If there is only one door for entry and exit, then necessary arrangements should be made to reduce the potential danger by making a temporary door for the event or by making some other arrangement.

Ensure better management of emergency situations

To prevent stampedes in case of emergency, emergency doors and pressure release points should be identified in advance and procedures should be determined to open them during an emergency. For the safety of people, arrangements of CCTV cameras, loudspeakers, and watch towers should be made. Traffic plans and adequate parking arrangements at various places should be ensured. Organizers should ensure that fire extinguishers are installed at the event venue. During the event, a place should be earmarked for systematically placing emergency vehicles like firefighting vehicles, ambulances, etc. Arrangements for proper electricity, pure drinking water, accessible toilets, etc. should be ensured at the venue. In case of sudden and prolonged failure of electricity and water supply, arrangements for alternative means such as generators, water tankers, etc. should be made. Medical facilities should be arranged at the venue and doctors and paramedical staff should be put on duty. An ambulance should also be kept on the spot with medicines.

Create a Temporary Pool if a River is Near the Venue

If there is a river, drain etc. near the venue, then arrangements for boats and divers should be made along with the deployment of servicemen or police force there and if there is no permanent bridge to cross it, then a temporary bridge should be constructed.

Proper arrangements for distribution of Prasad and gifts must

Arrangements should be made to prevent stampedes during free distribution of gifts/food/prasad/blankets etc. and adequate instructions should be given to the organizers to ban the distribution of material in case of excessive crowd.

Proper management of volunteers and effective control of administration

Before organizing large-scale social and religious events, organizers should arrange for an adequate number of volunteers for every 500 attendees. In addition to these volunteers, the police administration should deploy its force for crowd control and stampede prevention. The instructions also highlight that rumors of threats like snakes or bombs can cause panic and stampedes. To manage such situations, organizers should make announcements through loudspeakers and other sound devices.