New Delhi:
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will now use non lethal plastic weapons to deal with stone pelters and and protesters in Jammu and Kashmir.
The development was announced by the CRPF chief RR Bhatnagar”during the the 25th anniversary of Rapid Action Force (RAF).
Bhatnagar said, Äround 21,000 rounds of plastic bullets has been sent to the valley.
The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) had forced criticism for using pellet guns. Over hunder of people were treated of severe injuries after security forces used pellet guns on pellet guns to control violence in the valley triggered after the killing of terrorist group Hijbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani last year.
Also read| Decline in stone pelting in Kashmir Valley post NIA raids : CRPF DG
The Director General of CRPF informed that the plastic pellets have been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation.
He added that it was manufactured by the Pune-based Ordnance factory.
According to the Bhatnagar the plastic pellets can be fitted in the AK assault rifles.
Bhatnagar also said that the plastic bullets are less lethal.
“The pellets can be used by our anti-riot unit Rapid Action Force,”added Bhatnagar.
During the event Bhatnagar also informed that the force has not done away with other non-lethal weapons and is getting pump action guns fitted with metal deflectors so that pellet injuries do not go above the waist.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh present during the occasion said that the police cannot be brute force in 21 century.
"The security forces should not only be dependent on use of force. It's an age of technology," he said.
