Against the backdrop of the recent Gen Z protests in Nepal, which spiralled into violence and forced a regime change, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha is learnt to have directed three units — the Intelligence branch, Operations unit and Delhi Armed Police — to draft a “contingency action plan” to deal with a similar situation if it were to arise in the national capital. In a recent meeting, Golchha is also learnt to have asked two Special Commissioners of Police to form a committee to conduct an audit of their inventory of non-lethal weapons and to suggest if more such weapons or technology are required. Senior officers said the development comes keeping in mind the fact that “large-scale, youth-driven, leaderless demonstrations — similar to the ones witnessed in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal — could spill over into India or inspire parallel mobilisations in Delhi”. In the recent meeting with all Special CPs, Golchha is learnt to have discussed the situation in Nepal. “After a brainstorming session, he directed the Special CP of the Intelligence Division to work along with two other Special CPs — Delhi Armed Police and Operations — to prepare a detailed contingency action to handle such a situation. He asked him to put up this contingency action plan in the coming days,” a senior police officer said. The instructions, issued a few days ago, call for coordinated preparedness between the district police units, cyber cell, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Police sources indicated that draft measures include enhanced monitoring of border movements, extensive use of drone surveillance in sensitive areas, and quicker coordination with paramilitary forces in case of large gatherings. Sharing initial details of the contingency action plan, an officer said that Special CPs are counting all the reserved battalions of the Delhi Police and companies of the CAPFs available with the Delhi Police. “In their contingency action plan, they mention that if a similar situation were to arise in Delhi, they first have to mobilise their reserved police companies to maintain the law and order situation,” the officer said. Another senior Delhi Police officer said, “We are closely studying the patterns of the Nepal protests, where social media platforms played a central role in mobilisation. The Commissioner has asked for a detailed contingency plan, with emphasis on pre-emptive intelligence gathering, crowd management strategies, and mechanisms to counter misinformation online.” The team of three Special CPs is also planning to mention the need to counter fake narratives on social media and to activate their own social media teams. The Delhi Police spokesperson did not respond to queries on the subject.
