How to deal with catastrophes such as riots ?

1. Insurrections, riots, and practical tips to protect yourself

A. Plan in advance to protect yourself from the violence

If anti-nationals start riots, patriotic citizens will have to face them. This will invariably lead to violence and bloodshed. Hence, plan to protect yourself in such a situation.

B. Launch a campaign to awaken the youth

Launch a campaign to awaken the youth so that they have an effective organisation. The objective in this is two-fold :

1. Preparing the patriotic youth mentally to learn to protect themselves and fellow patriotic citizens. Also, to create an effective communication system at the time of crisis.

2. Seeking participation of the youth according to their skill sets to protect fellow patriotic citizens.

For this, it is important to guide college students, members of gymnasiums, youth organisations, and Ganeshotsav and Navaratri Mandals on where to assemble if such a situation arises and the further course of action. These mandals and other organisations should also keep this aspect in mind while organising their respective events every year.

C. Arrange peacetime workshops

Patriotic organisations should arrange workshops in various residential societies and offices. These workshops should cover the following aspects :

1. Explain what is a riot : You should explain aspects such as what is a riot, how and under what circumstances it breaks out. Explain the measures to be taken to reduce the potential harm.

2. Prepare the attendees mentally to face a riot and explain to them how to protect family members and the property during a riot.

You should help them to visualise the reasons for a riot. Also, help them think of what the person on the other side of the fence (meaning – a rioter) may have on his mind. You should explain this to students, residents of societies and colonies and to the office staff alike.

3. Mental preparation is equally important to face a riot : Mental preparation is a critical aspect in overall preparations to protect yourself from any harm. Hence, the workshops must include practical examples to explain how you can protect yourself and your family members once a riot breaks out.

4. Prepare for self-defence – at your residence as well as at your office : Patriots generally get caught unawares and are less prepared to face a riot (near their house or workplace). The rioters, on the other hand, are generally well-prepared. Hence, under such circumstances, you should learn self-defence techniques while abiding by law.

5. Use household stuff (things that are readily available in your home) for self-defence : In a riot instigated by traitors, you can use many household items such as the stick for drying clothes or pipes from the bathroom for self-defence.

D. During peacetime, form groups of patriots

Preparation is the best way to protect yourself from violence during a rebellion or a riot. You can deal with such a threat if people from all sections of society come together and are well-prepared to face the situation.

Hence, form different groups to incorporate owners of vehicles, drivers, rescue workers, people trained in first-aid, paramedics, people who can donate for food, clothes and shelter for the needy, lawyers and patriotic intellectuals. During peacetime, discuss these aspects in detail, and accordingly, select a leader for every group. In the end, make a suitable plan.

Among all such tasks, those assigned to the rescue group will be more risky in nature. Hence, the members of this group should be physically and mentally strong. Such a group can be of help during other disasters as well.

E. Provide self-defence training to women to effectively deal with a rebellion or a riot

It is highly likely that the rioters will attack patriotic women. Hence, you should train them on appropriate self-defence techniques during peacetime. Also, advise them to carry a whistle and a pepper spray or chilli powder whenever they venture out.

F. Plan to protect public places and patriots

Protect temples, Senior citizens, women and patriots

At the time of a rebellion, incidents such as stone-pelting on temples or dumping meat in a temple premises can take place. Hence, the following precautionary measures should be taken.

1. Build protective walls around the temples

Prioritise building of strong compound walls around temples instead of renovation / beautification work. You should explain the importance of constructing such walls to the Trustees of temples. In addition, for the temples where funds are insufficient, you should explain the importance of protecting temples to patriotic residents in that area and appeal to them to come forward and fund the work.

2. Form youth patrol squads

Form youth patrol squads for the protection of temples so that they can patrol round-the-clock in shifts. Considering the increased frequency of incidents of vandalism of Idols and theft, it has become all the more important to patrol the temples round the clock.

3. Make it a habit to visit temples regularly

Encourage people in your area to visit temples regularly and help them make this a habit. For this, you can organise group activities such as chanting, singing bhajans, listening to kirtans every week. It will help them form a habit of assembling at least once a week. This habit will make it easier for them to assemble effortlessly at the time of a rebellion.

G. Build an effective organisation of patriotic doctors

Private hospitals will more likely be non-functional during the adverse times. At that time, the Government hospitals and facilities will be filled. In case of Government hospitals, the entire process of treatment takes more time as compared to private hospitals. Consequently, patients may have to suffer on account of lack of timely treatment. Hence, during peacetime, you should explain this to patriotic doctors. You should also keep their contact details and addresses handy.

 

2. Follow these guidelines at the time of violence during a rebellion

A. If you are alone at the time of violence

1. If you notice a two-wheeler is available while you are running away to protect yourself, check if it has a helmet attached to it. You can wear this helmet to protect your head.

2. If you notice a fire, stone pelting, shooting or lathi-charge, try to move away as soon as possible.

3. If the crowd is running in the middle of the road, never run in the opposite direction. If you do so, you may fall and get injured. Instead, move along the mob for some time and then slowly get out from one side.

4. While travelling, carry two mobiles

If violence begins while you are travelling, keep one mobile in your pocket and the other in vibration mode in your bag. At the time of violence, if someone tries to snatch your valuables, you can offer the mobile that is in your pocket. It will save your life in most cases; later, you can use the other mobile in the bag to contact others and seek help.

5. Always keep spare money (lower denomination notes) with you 

The situation can be highly volatile, more so in the sensitive areas. If you intend going to such places, always keep spare money with you. Do not keep large denominations notes with you. During such violence, the miscreants can exploit the situation and start looting people. At that time, if someone tries to rob you, you can immediately offer the lower denomination notes and protect yourself.

6. Move away from the centre of violence

While travelling in a 4-wheeler, if you suddenly come across the violent mob, gradually keep moving ahead and then take another road.

B. During violence, social media plays an important role

When you notice violence while you are at home, try using social media journalism to let others know of your whereabouts at regular intervals and what has happened at the spot of violence. Do not spread rumours. Save phone numbers of journalists in your area.

C. During violence, it is essential to have an effective communication system for patriots 

Patriots should immediately be made aware of incidents of violence anywhere in the country. This means that if violence breaks out in Chennai, patriots in Jammu, Delhi, etc. should also be informed immediately. For this to happen, build an effective communication system during peacetime. This should also include Text messages, WhatsApp messages and even E-mails.

D. Plan to ferry people stranded at bus stations, railway stations to a safe place 

During the initial days of rioting, transport may not be available. Hence, a large number of people may get stranded at bus and railway stations. If you are not able to take them to a safe place, at least arrange food for them.

E. Plan to help patriots wherever they are in minority (in their respective areas)

Prioritise helping patriots if they are in minority in their respective areas, since they are most susceptible to an attack. In such cases, you should appeal to the Police to provide necessary protection.

F. With the help of elderly women and patriotic senior citizens, make your voices heard

At the time of violence, views of elderly citizens and women are influential while seeking help from the Police. In such situations, take a few patriotic senior citizens to the Police station and initiate a conversation with the concerned Police officers about protecting fellow patriots. This will help to create a positive environment that patriots are working to bring about peace.

G. Efforts to be made by patriots in the other areas of the country

Once violence breaks out in any area, it would be a difficult task to meet senior Police officers responsible in that area.

Hence, in such situations, patriots should meet the senior Police officers in areas unaffected by rioting and update them on the prevailing circumstances and the attacks on the patriots in the riot-affected areas.

H. Help the State Police and CRPF

Once violence breaks out, the Government deploys armed forces such as CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and SRPF (State Reserve Police Force) to bring the situation under control and to maintain peace. Under such circumstances, patriots should proactively help the respective Police personnel (e.g. offering drinking water, providing chairs, meals etc.).

I. Effectively use the social media

During the violence, you should click photos and videos of the attacks on patriots and subsequently share them on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Share some exclusive photos/videos with the major media networks.

If the media networks give you with an opportunity to voice your opinion, share your thoughts confidently without any hesitation. After such an interaction, tweet your interview bytes and tag the local Police station, senior Police officers, Union Home Minister and the respective Chief Minister of the state.

 

3. Rescue and relief activities after rioting and destruction

A. Rescue and rehabilitation (of patriotic victims)

The physical, mental and financial loss suffered by patriots during a riot makes them very sensitive to the evolving situation. Under such circumstances, if they do not get the required help from the administration, you should proactively speak with them to make them feel better. Additionally, you can form an organisation and collect Online donations for them.

B. Arrange temporary accommodation / makeshift shelter for the displaced

During a riot, some patriots get displaced as their houses are either destroyed or set on fire. Hence, during peacetime, you should make arrangements for their temporary accommodation. For this, utilise large community halls and temples. Such displaced patriots will also need clothes and blankets; then you can seek help of patriots who live in the nearby areas unaffected by the violence. Such assistance will provide temporary relief to the victims.

C. Arrange for subsistence

Take initiative to care for the basic day-to-day needs of the displaced patriots as a result of violence and destruction. For this, you can seek help of generous people, traders and entrepreneurs in your respective areas. Accordingly, they can then co-ordinate among themselves and provide the necessary monetary and non-monetary support (food grains, vegetables, etc.).

D. Arrange to provide medical aid

Discuss the importance of providing timely medical aid during periods of violence with the doctors in your areas and request them to help the victims free-of-charge. They can also donate sample medicines they generally get from medical representatives.

E. Help the displaced avail services meant for the victims of violence

Once the situation is under control, patriots should make efforts towards permanent rehabilitation of the displaced people. You can proactively get information on the services and facilities made available by the local administration and other charitable organisations, and help them get those for faster rehabilitation.