Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee. India

Dos and Don’ts:

They will try chatting to you to extract any kind of information from you, stay silent.

You are under no obligation to speak to them, so don't.

Even simple information can be harmful; so don’t give it to them.

They will take note of everything straight out and will use it as evidence. Even if they do not use it against you, they may use it against someone else.

Explaining the law to them will rarely work, as for the most part police are not that fussed on what the law states; they prefer leaving that to the courts.

Note what time you have been arrested at when possible, and numbers/descriptions of the various officers who did it.

Watch out for police cameramen hiding behind vehicles, etc. This is a good reason for keeping your head down as much as possible, particularly when there is a large number of arrests, as they need photos for identification. There is no law saying that you have to pose for them at this stage in the proceedings. If they pull your hair to force your face up, scream as loud as possible - they are less likely to use a face full of pain as evidence. Likewise if they are violent in any way, scream; it will alert protestors; press and residents bringing unwelcome attention to the police.

In most cases do not give them your name. That can wait until you reach the police station.

Once arrested you will be put in the back of a vehicle and taken to the station. Like everywhere else, do not say or discuss anything in the vehicle, including personal details - you don't know who is listening in.

When in the police station, the best thing is to just to give them your name and address, but you need not answer other questions, as you are not obliged to.

If you are not able to fend off questions, shrug your shoulders and stay quiet.