An internal investigation has confirmed that pellet gun rounds were fired by a Rapid Action Force member during a protest in Delhi, resulting in injuries to several demonstrators.
NEW DELHI – An internal probe conducted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has determined that a member of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) discharged a pellet gun seven times during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) march toward Parliament on July 20. According to The Indian Express, five of these rounds struck protesters.
The RAF personnel reportedly fired the rounds after receiving permission from his company commander. The ongoing inquiry is also examining whether the use of the weapon adhered to the RAF’s standard operating procedures.
The march, which commenced at Jantar Mantar, escalated into violence as protesters attempted to advance toward Parliament. At least three individuals were hospitalized due to pellet injuries, including 25-year-old Irshad Sheikh, a resident of Gurugram, a 19-year-old Delhi University student named Sahil Lochab, and a 28-year-old journalist working for Outlook magazine.
The CRPF initiated the inquiry following allegations that pellet guns had been employed during the demonstration. Protesters claimed that students were specifically targeted, while the Delhi Police denied these assertions, stating that they neither possessed nor used pellet guns during the protest. However, the CRPF later clarified that the RAF, its specialized anti-riot unit, is equipped with pellet guns for crowd-control situations and had launched an internal investigation into their alleged use.
In a separate report, News18 revealed that another internal review within the RAF identified instances of excessive force used by some personnel during the protest on July 20. Senior officials concluded that certain actions captured in videos circulating on social media were inconsistent with the force’s professional standards and “cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
This review scrutinized footage that purportedly showed personnel using force against individuals who had already distanced themselves from the protest. It also highlighted incidents where individuals were pushed to the ground or struck while standing outside police barricades.
According to meeting proceedings cited by News18, officers were reminded that crowd-control operations must adhere to the prescribed force gradient. The review emphasized that personnel should issue warnings before resorting to force and utilize only authorized measures in a graduated manner.
The findings of these investigations raise significant concerns regarding the conduct of law enforcement during public demonstrations and the protocols in place for managing crowd control. As the situation develops, further scrutiny of the actions taken by the RAF and the CRPF is expected.
These events underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding protests in India, particularly those involving student groups and political movements. The implications of the use of pellet guns and the response of law enforcement will likely continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming days.
For more information, see The Indian Express.