raf-fired-munitions-pellets-at-protesters-official-record

An official record of the police action taken during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march by protesters on the NEET issue has stated that the RAF fired multiple rounds of non-lethal munitions, including two rounds of plastic pellets, while controlling the mob at one location near Jantar Mantar.

 

The incident has been recorded as July 22 at 1:24 pm in the general diary entry of the Parliament Street police station on the information of a Deputy Commandant of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), stating the blue dungaree donning force was on duty in the Zone 1 of the Jantar Mantar area along with a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank officer of the Delhi Police, officials said.

 

On the directions of the DCP, according to the officials quoting the police station record, the RAF fired 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, five tear smoke grenades, two rounds from the anti-riot guns and two rounds of plastic pellets on July 20. Officials said one round of the non-lethal plastic pellet contains four pieces and they are different from the metal pellets that pierce the body. The plastic pellets do not cause much harm, the officials said.

 

The use of force, especially pellets, against the protesters has become another major flashpoint with the Opposition targeting the government and demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament.

 

There have been two-three reports of protesters suffering grievous pellet injuries during this protest march called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Police, RAF and CRPF personnel were also injured during these protests.

 

The Delhi Police has said on record that the claims of use of pellets against “peaceful protestors were completely false and misleading”. The CRPF and the RAF have not commented on the issue so far.

 

“Now, since the agitation has been called off and assembled people have dispersed, we would make a professional post-event assessment, like we do after every major assignment, and then let you know the view of the Force Headquarters,” CRPF Director General (DG) G P Singh has said.