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The ongoing unrest in Kashmir post the encounter of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani that has left 50 killed and 5000 injured, has brought into focus the lethal effects of the non-lethal pellet guns. These guns are used by the CRPF jawans against the revolting, stone-pelting mass. But, the outcomes of the usage of these guns is far from harmless. From loss of eyesight to loss of life, these non-lethal weapons are causing a lot of trouble in paradise.
So, what are these pellet guns?
Air guns, which are often called pellet guns or BB guns, are the oldest pneumatic weaponry. Pneumatic weapon is one that fires a projectile by means of air pressure or compressed gas. The pellet guns propel metallic ball bearings, arrows, or darts. These guns are the most popular in hunting and pest control; also used for recreational purposes in competitive sports.
They are the most common form of crowd control weapons used worldwide by the police and military forces. They are used in addition to the other common methods like tear gas, water cannon, taser guns, etc.
What are pellets?
Pellets are non-spherical projectile loaded with spherical lead or lead alloy, designed to be fired from an air gun. A single cartridge can hold about a hundred lead bearings. The moment the cartridge is fired, it bursts and dislodges the hundred pellets from a single point.
As they are lightweight, they don’t follow a definite path when fired. The pellets are more powerful when fired from close quarters and can cause a lot of damage to the human body. They penetrate the soft tissues, and the eye being the most delicate is the most vulnerable to damage. Once the pellet goes inside the eye, it causes multiple damages which result in loss of sight.
How many kinds of pellets are there?
There are different kinds of pellets— while some are rounded, some have sharp tips. According to doctors at Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, it is the irregular and sharp ones that cause more harm than the rounded ones. A doctor from SMHS said, "Most of the patients with bullet injuries have wounds in their abdomen and upper chest.”
When was this weaponry introduced?
It was first introduced in 2010 by the Kashmir police to control a stone-pelting mob. These guns killed six persons and caused eye injuries to 98 with five suffering complete blindness.
Can the doctors restore vision in victims?
There is no complete official figure, but at least 300 civilians were admitted to the SMHS most of whom suffered bullet and pellet injuries. A doctor, on conditions of anonymity, told that out of the 100 surgeries performed in cases where pellets penetrated the victim’s eyes, most of them would lose their eyesight at least in one eye.
What does the government say about the usage of pellet guns in Kashmir?
In his recent high-level meeting in Srinagar, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has appealed to the security forces to refrain from using pellet guns on civilians in the Valley. He also announced that the government was considering alternatives to pellet guns. "We will form a committee of experts. It will see to it what non-lethal alternatives we can bring in place of pellet guns. It will give report in two months," he said.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said, “I am especially pained by the grievous eye injuries caused to some youth because of the pellets guns. This cruel method of crowd control will have to be done away with. The sooner the better.”