New Delhi: The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has initiated a probe into allegations of its personnel using disproportionate force and firing pellet guns during the Cockroach Janta Party-organised ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on July 20.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has asked the Inspector General of RAF, its special anti-riots unit, to verify the sequence of events carried out by its various teams to control the protesters and also incidents where they were attacked, PTI reported.
The inquiry order came amid reports and allegations of RAF personnel using a pellet gun on the students during joining the protest march from Jantar Mantar over NEET-UG paper leak earlier this week.
Delhi Police and the government have denied use of pellet guns on the peaceful protesters.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the government, claiming that it was lying.
With a student named Sahil beside him, Rahul showed mediapersons pellet marks on the former’s body, and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“He had joined the protest demanding justice and a better future. Today, the situation is such that there is a risk of him permanently losing vision in one eye. This is the punishment our students receive for asking questions and demanding accountability… Modi ji, apologize to the children of the country for this sin of yours, take strict action against those responsible for it, and immediately dismiss Dharmendra Pradhan,” Rahul posted on X along with a video.
According to NDTV, a government hospital confirmed that a 28-year-old protester suffered ‘pellet wounds’ on his right elbow and back.
Pellet gun usage SOP
According to officials, the RAF is equipped with 12-bore pump-action guns, aka pellet guns, as part of its riot-control equipment.
The standard operating procedure (SOP) says pellet guns may be used only in extreme situations involving grave danger to personnel.
These guns are also required to be fitted with a deflector so that metal or rubber pellets strike only the lower half of the body and minimise injuries.
