You are the SP of a district where a large number of followers of a particular sect reside. The district also hosts a large Ashram where regular gathering of the followers take place. The leader of the sect has been under the scanner of the judiciary for his involvement in illegal activities. Now the court has ordered his immediate arrest and an order pronouncing the same has been sent to you. You have been asked to comply with the orders within two days. A large number of followers, which include women and children, have already thronged the Ashram in anticipation of arrest of the leader. Intelligence units have informed about the presence of not only large stock of food and water but also ammunition, inside the Ashram. Your request urging the followers to vacate the site has failed. 20 (a) What could be the reason for people's defiance? (b) List the issues involved in the case. (c) What will be your plan of action?

a) Reason for people's defiance

1. The leader of the sect has a god-like status. Ordering his arrest and implication in illegal activities is an insult to their faith.
2. The people are blinded by their faith and are therefore unable to objectively assess the situation.
3. Herd mentality - Some people may choose to defy just because others are doing so, without objectively forming their own opinion on the issue.
4. Faith in brute power of force against lawful orders of the Court.

b) The issues involved in this case are: -

1. Arresting the leader with minimal loss to life and property
2. Ensuring women and children are not harmed in the ensuing melee.
3. Ensuring the place of worship of the sect is not damaged, i.e. maintaining the sacredness of the place.
4. Ensuring that the followers do not misuse their ammunition.

c) Plan of action Here, one could directly apply force and arrest the leader. But this will lead to riots in all likelihood, and therefore is not recommended.

One could also use force against the followers and evict them. This again may lead to violent clashes and therefore is not recommended.

So, my plan of action will be as follows:

1. Using telecommunication to contact the leader. Persuade him to submit himself voluntarily for arrest. Give him the option of applying for bail immediately after. Using techniques of emotional intelligence persuade him how this will lead to minimum violence and loss of lives. I will also refer to tenets of the sect itself to tell him how saving innocent lives is more important than engaging in brute force.

2- In case the above fails, I will use the 2 day to employ a phased plan of action to arrest him.

a) First, I will send some constables in plainclothes who can dress up as followers of the sect to assess the situation inside. These can also

b) Use of satellite imagery to see the location of followers, leader and ammunition inside the ashram complex.

c) Using this to employ a plan of action. -> Cutting off electricity supply of the ashram -> Shutting down mobile internet u/s 144 CrPC [Criminal Procedure Code] -> Prohibiting assembly of more than 4 people under s.144 CrPC

This may coax the followers to negotiate.

d) If this too fails, I will use threat of water canons on the protestors if the situation gets out of control. I will not actually use them, but use the threat to force them into allowing arrest.