Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a summary for the formation of a new ‘Riot Management Police’ (RMP), comprising 5,000 personnel, aimed at controlling large crowds and violent protests, according to reports from Dawn. The summary, proposed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar, was greenlit after a briefing by IGP and DIG Athar Waheed on the need for the force.
The RMP will be established under the contentious Right to Peaceful Protest Act, 2024, with its headquarters in Lahore. The force will be led by an officer of at least the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), with the support of a Superintendent of Police (SP). The RMP will operate with eight regional offices across Punjab, initially focusing on Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, and Sargodha, with plans for expansion into other major districts.
The creation of the RMP follows the May 9, 2023 incidents, where protests led to property damage and injuries to law enforcement. The 30-page proposal, prepared by Lahore Chief Traffic Officer DIG Athar Waheed, outlines the RMP’s powers to recommend punishments for individuals causing property damage during protests.
The RMP will employ specially trained personnel skilled in non-lethal crowd control methods, psychological training for crowd dynamics, and techniques for negotiating with protest leaders. It will also incorporate advanced tools such as tear gas, sound cannons, rubber bullets, electric shock shields, and surveillance equipment. For the first time, trained dogs will be used for crowd control, protester apprehension, and deterrence.
The proposal also includes a fleet of 650 vehicles, including bulletproof cars for senior officers, armored anti-riot trucks, water cannons, ambulances, and heavy machinery for managing protests.
While most protests in Punjab remain peaceful, the RMP aims to address violent escalations, prevent property damage, and reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities during demonstrations.
