NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday informed the apex court that it has already updated the standard operating procedures for controlling mobs in Kashmir Valley and the use of pellet guns is the last resort security agencies would be taking in the future and more alternatives are being looked into.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar that the security forces try to use minimum force to avoid any damage to life and property and eventually use pellet guns and live ammunition in the final stage when the mob comes in close proximity.
The Centre also placed on record confidential documents about the deliberations undertaken to evolve options other than the use of pellet guns for tackling mobs, which resort to stone-pelting and attacks by petrol bombs, acid bombs and other deadly weapons.
“The government is also working on a new non-lethal method to control stone pelters but due to security reasons cannot reveal it,” the AG submitted.
“We have tried all options like chilli bombs, tear gas but stone throwers have their eyes covered so it does not serve any purpose. Then we had rubber bullets but if the crowd remains at a distance it is fine but they are always marching ahead. Thus, pellet guns are the last resort,” the AG told the bench, adding that during the protests between July 8 and August 11, 2016, a total of 1,775 CRPF personnel were injured out of which 79 were grievously injured.
Rohatgi also filed an expert committee report which stated that, “Options of using laser dazzler, a non-lethal intense radiation used to temporarily disable its target, high-intensity noise devices, chilli-filed pava shells and rubber guns were found not to be so successful in comparison to pellet guns.”
The bench also expressed concern over the photographs submitted by AG and observed, “We only see kids of 13-14 years of age in the mob.”