After the tensions in Kashmir, Union Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a committee to look for alternatives to pellet guns.
Advertisement
CRPF Director-General K Durga Prasad said there was no such weapon which could be called “non-lethal” and the pellet guns, frequently used to control the violent protesters in the Valley, is the “least-lethal” weapon available with the force.
The court also observed that the high number of injuries to the civilians was due to untrained security personnel being allowed to use pellet guns.
“Maximum people have suffered eye injuries”.
“We all feel sad over the lives lost and those injured”, Singh said.
Hundreds of protesters in Kashmir have suffered pellet injuries and many have been hit in their eyes, fuelling fears that they may be partially or completely blinded for life.
In response to the High Court’s observation that it will be hard to treat the patients suffering from shrinkage of eyeball after three weeks, Advocate General Jahangir Iqbal Ganai said, “We have best doctors available at SMHS hospital”. But still, we will have to use it (pellet guns) in extreme situation as of now.
The campaign aims to generate empathy and to show how pellet guns are not “non-lethal” weapons.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from most parts of the tense Kashmir Valley on Tuesday, bringing much-needed respite to people 17 long days after it was imposed amid the worst unrest in years. The security forces in the case are inexperienced as the witness comes from an earlier statement of CRPF DGP that 114 companies of paramilitary force undergoing training had been appointed to control the situation in Kashmir. You can restore it area-wise. The court also asked the government to restore mobile phone services in the Valley as the ban was affecting the people. “You shall have to think seriously about connectivity and take a decision immediately”.
