- Police use digital tracking, home visits for student protesters.
- Protesters asked to share live WhatsApp locations with police.
- Activists raise privacy concerns over police surveillance methods
Mumbai Students Protest: The students have organized multiple protests against the paper leak and other irregularities in the education system in the past few days. The Mumbai police have adopted new methods of digital tracking and door-to-door surveillance in an attempt to curb such demonstrations in the capital city of Maharashtra. The administration has urged the residents to avoid participating in such protests to avoid inconveniences.
Police Conduct Home Visits
The state police is reportedly alert following large-scale protests in several regions of Mumbai, including Shivaji Park, Chembur, and Azad Maidan. The administration has instructed the protesters to stay home, share their live locations on WhatsApp, and also issued digital notices under Section 35(3) of the BNSS.
The state police have also maintained contacts with the protesters against whom FIRs have already been filed in the past. The authority has asked them to regularly share their live WhatsApp location to ensure they stay at home during any major demonstrations.
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Apart from this, legal notices are also being sent to them on WhatsApp and other messaging apps under Section 35(3) of the Indian Civil Services Code (BNSS). The authority has directed them to appear at the nearest police station for questioning in connection with past protests.
Protesters Asked To Share Location
Along with the digital awareness campaign, the state police have also visited the residence of protesting students in Mumbai and nearby regions. The police informed their families about pending investigations and advised them against further participation in public rallies.
While providing details, a senior police officer stated that these steps are being taken to prevent young people from having formal criminal records. However, the human rights activists and the lawyers pointed out that the police is invading the privacy of the residents.
In a press conference, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray announced that they will lead a march on July 26 to raise awareness about the issues related to the students.
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