NEW DELHI: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has initiated an internal verification into allegations that its Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel used pellet guns during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Officials said the Inspector General of the RAF has been asked to examine the sequence of events during the operation to control protesters. A formal Court of Inquiry has not yet been ordered and will depend on the findings of the verification exercise.
At least three persons reportedly sustained pellet injuries during the students’ agitation, which was held under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
Officials said the force has taken cognisance of social media videos and photographs showing RAF personnel in action, including visuals of lathi-charge and use of equipment. Footage of personnel being surrounded and attacked by protesters is also being examined.
“All legal procedures stipulated to check the conduct of the personnel during such operational duties will be followed,” a CRPF official said.
Officials said the RAF is equipped with 12-bore pump-action guns, or pellet guns, as part of its riot control armoury. Standard operating procedures mandate graded use of such weapons, including the use of deflectors to minimise injury and restrict impact to the lower part of the body.
Medical reports have indicated injuries consistent with pellet wounds. Those injured include a 25-year-old resident of Gurugram, a 19-year-old Delhi University student and a journalist. The student is undergoing treatment following surgery, with concerns over possible loss of vision in one eye.
A report from Safdarjung Hospital attributed injuries in one case to pellet impact, citing wounds on the arm, chest and back.
Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns and termed such reports misleading, while distinguishing its role from that of the CRPF. The CRPF and RAF have not issued a formal response on the specific allegation of pellet use.
The force is also examining other incidents captured on video, including alleged use of force and attacks on personnel. It has directed deployed units not to interact with the media, and is reviewing alleged social media posts by an RAF officer for possible violation of service guidelines.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
