The Mangaluru City Police on Saturday issued an advisory to organisers of protest meetings, asking them to provide the police with realistic estimates of the expected number of attendees, among other directions.

City Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy told reporters here that the directions were being reiterated in view of a protest held on Friday against the NEET-UG paper leak at the Town Hall. While the organisers were unclear about the number of attendees and had estimated moderate participation, the crowd rose to about 5,000, severely affecting the public. The selected venue, Town Hall, was not suitable for such a large gathering, and if the venue had not had two gates, a stampede could have occurred, he said.

Therefore, organisers should provide realistic estimates of expected attendees to enable the police to make appropriate logistics and security arrangements. They should also select suitable venues so that demonstrations are held at locations capable of safely accommodating the crowd. Holding large gatherings in confined spaces creates serious safety hazards, including overcrowding and the risk of a stampede.

Mr. Reddy also said organisers should comply with agreed timelines and routes to minimise disruption to the public. The police therefore expect people and organisations wishing to assemble peacefully to apply for permission well in advance.

Mr. Reddy said peaceful protests are a fundamental democratic right. The police were committed to facilitating lawful demonstrations while ensuring public safety and minimising inconvenience to the wider community. Any individual or organisation planning a protest should obtain prior written permission from the police, and such permissions were being issued consistently to all applicants who meet the statutory requirements.

He made it clear that the conditions attached to permissions were not intended to curtail the right to protest. Rather, they were designed to regulate traffic flow, secure emergency access routes, and safeguard both participants and the public while maintaining public order.

For Friday’s demonstration, the police granted permission despite the organisers’ inability to provide an estimate of attendees or an assembly plan. Consequently, a standard undertaking was taken, and extensive police arrangements, including deployment of personnel and traffic diversions, were put in place in anticipation of a large crowd.

Published - July 25, 2026 07:41 pm IST