Modern technology will always be a part of our daily lives in the digital era, and law enforcement is no different. One such invention is network mapping, a potent instrument that has the potential to revolutionise police enforcement, especially in delicate and riot-prone areas. As a police officer working in a police subdivision of rural Maharashtra, I have personally seen the effects of inter-communal conflict and the necessity of obtaining strategic intelligence. This article examines how network mapping can transform routine law enforcement and open the door to new developments.

Comprehending Riot-Prone Regions: Origins and Significance of Network Mapping

When social, economic, and political issues cause divides among various community groups, an area becomes vulnerable to rioting. Due to resentment from the past, differences in wealth, and rivalry for scarce resources, communities with mixed religious populations may develop into hotspots for communal activities. Due to close-knit communities and the potential for minor disputes to quickly spiral out of control, rural areas are especially vulnerable to riots. Preventive actions to uphold peace and order are made possible by gathering and evaluating data about these areas to identify underlying problems and potential triggers.

Creating The Network Map

Creating a network map is a meticulous process that begins with comprehensive data collection. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how we created the network map for a riot-prone area:

Data Collection
• Population Data: We gathered demographic information, noting the mixed religious composition of the area.
• Crime Data: Detailed records of crimes committed by individuals, including:
Person ID
Name
Crime ID
Number of sections involved in each crime
IPC sections for each crime
• Influence Score: Each person was assigned an influence score (on a scale of 1-5) based on human feedback and general influence within the community.

Negativity Score Calculation
• Severity Score: This score is calculated for each IPC section based on the severity of the punishment and whether the crime is cognizable or bailable.
• Negativity Score: For each individual, this score is the average of:
1. Count of crimes
2. The mean number of sections in each crime
3. The mean severity of each section

Node Data Preparation
• Each node represents an individual taken in the sample data set.
• We combined the negativity score with the node data to create an updated dataset.
• Each person was categorised based on size (influence) and colour (negativity):
Big Red: High influence, high negativity
Small Red: Low influence, high negativity
Big Pale: High influence, low negativity
Small Pale: Low influence, low negativity

USEFUL APPLICATIONS FOR EVERYDAY POLICING 

Identification of Troublemakers

‘Big Red’ circles, or people with strong influence and high negativity, can be identified by examining crime statistics and social interactions. These individuals are crowd-pullers, and because of their capacity to incite sizable gatherings, they may be extremely dangerous. For example, a person with a history of planning violent protests should be properly monitored. Potential risks can be reduced with frequent meetings, passive surveillance, and timely preventive detentions.

Targeted Intervention

Network mapping facilitates classifying individuals, including ‘Small Red’ – characterised by modest impact but great negativity. For example, a person who has little influence but a criminal mindset. If such persons commit any violation, it must be promptly recorded. This helps during the initiation of preventive measures against the said person.

Pacifiers And Instigators

Network mapping also reveals highly influential community people with no criminal history. These are separated into two groups:

A. Instigators

These people are highly influential but have no criminal history. They frequently incite disturbances by working in the background without actively taking part. For instance, social media activity and community comments can be used to identify and monitor an influential person who quietly fosters conflict within the community. Potential disturbances can be avoided with routine meetings and passive surveillance.

B. Pacifiers

Conversely, Pacifiers are powerful people who actively work to bring harmony and calm to the neighbourhood. By including these peace leaders in all peace meetings and community policing activities, collaborative environments can be fostered. They have the power to significantly reduce hostilities and advance peace within the community.

Community Engagement and Rehabilitation

One of the most significant aspects of network mapping is its potential for community engagement and rehabilitation. Small pale circles, representing individuals with little social influence who are first-time offenders, can be positively engaged by offering them pathways to reintegration into society. Here’s how we approach this:

1. Community Policing Programs

• Police Playgrounds: We can establish playgrounds where local youth can engage in sports and recreational activities under the supervision of police officers. This would foster trust and break down barriers between the police and the community.

• Mohalla Committees are neighbourhood committees where residents and police work together to address local issues. By involving community members in decision-making, we empower them and build a sense of ownership over communal peace.

• SHE Teams for Women’s Safety: Special teams focus on women’s safety and empowerment, conducting awareness programs and providing a safe environment for women to report issues.

2. Rehabilitation Programs

• Skill Development Workshops: We offer workshops on various skills, such as carpentry, tailoring, and computer literacy, to provide employment opportunities for at-risk individuals.

• Police Bharti Recruitment Practice: We organise practice sessions for young aspirants who wish to join the police force. This provides them a career path and instils a sense of discipline and responsibility.

• Kaumi Ekta Rallies: Unity rallies promote communal harmony and showcase the collective strength of diverse communities working together for peace.

Also Read :- Transforming e-Governance: The next generation way

Role In Strategic Intelligence Gathering

Network mapping is not just about identifying troublemakers; it’s a strategic tool for intelligence gathering. By continuously updating and analysing the data, we can recognise patterns that correlate with riot-prone spots, allocate resources more effectively, and focus surveillance efforts where they are needed most.

1. Enhanced Intelligence Gathering

Regular monitoring of high-risk individuals and areas helps recognise potential threats early. This proactive approach allows for timely intervention and prevention of communal violence.

2. Crime Prediction And Prevention

Analysing individual behaviour and social interactions can predict potential criminal activities. For instance, a sudden increase in meetings between known troublemakers can signal an impending protest or riot.

3. Stronger Evidence Collection

Network mapping provides a detailed record of individual activities and interactions. This information strengthens our evidence-collection process, leading to more robust charge sheets and higher conviction rates.

Future Prospects

With the development of technology, network mapping’s uses in law enforcement will grow. We plan to integrate machine learning and artificial intelligence to further improve predictive analytics. Envision a system that utilises past data to map existing networks and forecast future connections and possible risks. With this degree of foresight, law enforcement can respond quickly and effectively to maintain public safety and societal peace.

Conclusion

This model was developed under the leadership and guidance of Collector Jalgaon, Shri Ayush Prasad, IAS, SP Jalgaon, and Dr. Maheshwar Reddy, IPS. Network mapping is a potent technique that has the potential to completely transform policing in riotprone areas. We can conduct targeted interventions and strategic intelligence collection by identifying and classifying individuals according to their influence and criminal activity. The possibilities for network mapping in law enforcement are endless as technology advances. We can pave the way for a safer, more harmonious future by embracing these advancements.

Insights shared by Annapurna Singh, IPS, ASP Faizpur, Jalgaon, Government of Maharashtra

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