The Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired multiple rounds of non-lethal munitions, including two rounds of plastic pellets, to disperse CJP protesters on 20 July, police records show.
These details were recorded in a Delhi police diary provided by the RAF Deputy Commandant, PTI reported on Tuesday
Thousands of young protesters were injured in a police crackdown after they launched the Sansad Chalo march at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak issue.
A team of RAF personnel, dressed in blue dungarees, was deployed in Zone 1 of the Jantar Mantar area alongside a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-rank officer of the Delhi Police for crowd control.
Crowd-control measures recorded
According to the report, citing unnamed officials, the RAF used a range of non-lethal crowd-control measures on 20 July on the directions of the DCP. These included 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, five tear smoke grenades, two rounds of anti-riot guns, and two rounds of plastic pellets.
Each round of non-lethal plastic pellets contains four shots and differs from metal pellets that can pierce the body. They said the plastic pellets do not cause significant harm.
Political row over use of pellets
The reported use of force, particularly plastic pellets, has emerged as another major flashpoint, with the Opposition targeting the government and demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament.
The reported use of plastic pellets emerged as another major flashpoint. The Opposition is targeting the government over this and demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament.
There have been two or three reports of protesters sustaining grievous pellet injuries during the march, which was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The protest sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG question paper leak. Pradhan resigned on Saturday, following which the month-long CJP protest was called off.
Police reject allegations
The Delhi Police has maintained on record that allegations regarding the use of pellets against ‘peaceful protestors’ are ‘completely false and misleading’.
As per the report, the officials also said that multiple personnel from the Delhi Police, the RAF and the CRPF were also injured during the protests.
