Former top cop Kiran Bedi suggests measures to prevent communal riots

Former top cop Kiran Bedi suggested measures to prevent incidents of communal violence in the country after a clash broke out during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in Delhi's Jahangirpuri on Saturday.

After communal classes broke out in various parts of the country recently, especially in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri on Saturday, questions are being raised about handling of the procession by the administrative workforce.

India’s first woman IPS officer and former Lt Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi has suggested some measures to prevent communal riots.

- Before allowing and permitting processions through congested and communally sensitive areas, there should be strict dos and don’ts to make people of such areas equally responsible for safety and peace.- Area respectables should be involved in acting as guardians, like organised market associations or mahila mandals. Women can play a very useful role in ensuring peace.- Any persons with criminal past records living in the area must be brought under close check by use of preventive sections of law, like peace bonds with sureties to maintain peace, failing to which, the offender can be sent to judicial custody.- Roof top searches should be done to check any stock of inflammable material or brickbats. If found, get them cleaned up by the civic agencies.- Any persons with weapon licences in the area should be asked to deposit their weapons in the police station for safe keeping.- Proper area-wise police arrangements should be made on papers involving women residents of the neighbourhood.- All CCTV cameras should be checked for any technical glitches.Clashes broke out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area on Saturday, injuring eight policemen and a civilian.

The investigation of the clashes has been handed over to the Crime Branch and 14 teams have been formed so far to probe the case.

Twenty-five people have been arrested so far.