“Your angry face is their content… They are not fighting you. They are making a film in which they want you to play the villain. Refuse that role.”“Protesters may cry loudly, fall at the feet of personnel, or ask questions intended to create sympathy or anger, such as references to family background or salary issues. In such situations, personnel have been advised not to engage in debate or show agreement, and to use only a brief line if necessary: ‘Please cooperate, we are doing our duty’. Then, maintain silence.”In the wake of the Jantar Mantar agitation where their role came in for backlash, Delhi Police personnel have received guidelines not just on how to tackle the new-generation protester, but also how not to. And to remember, always, that they are on camera.Also Read | At Dipke home, mother marks ‘victory’, father says he will never join politicsEarlier this month, an advisory framed by Central agencies was shared with all 15 districts as well as the Railway and Metro units of Delhi Police. The underlying message, like the ones shared above, was that today’s protesters, particularly those in the 18-28 age group, may not provoke them in the traditional sense. Instead, they would try to trigger an angry response, and turn the brief clip into online “content” as viral reels or memes, sources said.A specific directive is to try not to touch women protesters, have women police personnel handle them and be ready to offer help.The advice is to respond instead with calm, restraint and positive actions, and “look straight ahead” if protesters hold mobile phones close to their faces and ask personal or emotional questions such as whether they feel proud, how they sleep at night, or what they would tell their children, The Indian Express has learnt.Also Read | The rise and fall of Dharmendra Pradhan: BJP’s trusted organiser undone by NEET leakThe Jantar Mantar protest saw several people confront police personnel with these questions, particularly after the July 20 attempt to march to Parliament that saw clashes. Security forces used lathis, teargas and, in at least one case, a pellet gun to disperse the crowds. Authorities have denied the use of excessive force.Story continues below this ad“A calm face gives them nothing and police personnel are learnt to have been asked to not say anything in such situations. They have been clearly told that no controversial clip means no viral video,” a source said.Some of the actions personnel have been warned against are pushing away a phone, snatching items, throwing objects or shouting in anger, or reacting to humour, mockery, songs, dances, mock salutes or placards aimed at them.Also Read | How Delhi’s Jantar Mantar found out about Pradhan’s resignation, and reactedSources said they have also been told that protesters may offer them flowers, sweets, water bottles or tea, knowing that either an angry rejection or an overreaction caught on camera could generate online traction. Police personnel are learnt to have been told to either politely accept such offers or politely refuse.Other “meme traps” and “social media nets” the personnel have been warned against include protesters playing trending songs or audio clips, using police personnel’s names in slogans, or creating point-of-view videos near the police line, with captions added later. Personnel have been told that while they cannot control captions or edits, they can control their own facial expressions and body language.Story continues below this ad“Treat this as background noise,” the SOP says, adding that if personnel are briefed in advance, they are less likely to be confused or provoked.Apart from advising restraint, the SOP also emphasises what it calls positive actions, such as, “if a protester faints, falls or is injured, they should be the first to step forward, lift the person carefully, call an ambulance and clear the path”. Adds the advisory: “Such actions should be done naturally, not for the camera, while noting that cameras are likely to record them.”Also Read | Amid CJP 'inspections', Rajasthan government admits 611 schools have no buildingsOther such positive actions include removing barricades to allow ambulances, schoolchildren or patients to pass, and to help elderly and disabled persons cross police lines or reach vehicles. “If a small child is separated from parents in a crowd, they have been asked that they should stay with the child until the parents are found,” a source said.The language and body language should be “respectful”, says the SOP. Such as “Uncle, come this way”, “Aunty, please go to this side”, “Sir, please cooperate”, and when urging a crowd to move, using hands joined in appeal. This is more effective than a raised lathi and appears positive on camera, says the SOP.Story continues below this ad“Respectful language from uniformed personnel can help calm a crowd,” the source said.Also Read | Abhijit Dipke warns of Jantar Mantar-like protest after CJP alleges Jaipur attackIn a statement issued after the July 20 clashes, a Delhi Police spokesperson said the protesters had displayed unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour in the New Delhi area. “More than 118 police personnel sustained injuries, including senior officers and women police personnel. During the scuffle, around 60 protesters were also reported to have got injured.”The Indian Express reported that a CRPF inquiry found that one Rapid Action Force personnel had fired seven shots from a pellet gun, and five had hit protesters.“Let them (the protesters’ cameras) see only two things,” says the recent advisory. “Your calm face and a helping hand.”