Tear gas during Bijnor Police riot drill causes discomfort to residents & commuters

Bijnor: A riot-control mock drill conducted by police at the Police Lines ground in Bijnor on Tuesday caused inconvenience to nearby residents, shopkeepers and commuters after tear gas shells released during the exercise spread smoke across surrounding areas.Residents and shopkeepers near Kachhari Road, Police Lines and the Roadways bus station reported burning sensations in the eyes, excessive tearing and coughing. “The impact was felt as far as the bus stand, where several shops and heavy public movement are concentrated,” said Brajveer Singh, a resident.E-rickshaw drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians were also affected. Several motorists stopped mid-road to rub their eyes, raising concerns about traffic accidents.

A teenage scooter rider was also seen crying due to irritation. Residents demanded that authorities issue prior public notices before conducting such exercises to prevent inconvenience and potential safety risks.Bijnor circle officer Abhay Kumar Pandey said the drill was part of preparations for the upcoming Muharram festival to ensure law and order, and enhance emergency response preparedness. “The exercise, carried out under the supervision of the Bijnor SP, included sub-inspectors, head constables, constables and police personnel from various police stations across the district,” he said.

During the drill, police personnel were trained in crowd management techniques, handling emergency situations and maintaining public order during large gatherings. The exercise also included the use of anti-riot equipment such as anti-riot guns, tear gas shells, lathi charge formations and water cannons.Special focus was placed on cordoning techniques and rapid response measures to contain unruly elements. Pandey said the primary objective of the exercise was to assess the preparedness of the police force and ensure that any law-and-order situation or riot-like incident during Muharram can be dealt with firmly and effectively.