 "Security personnel in action against the stone throwing youth during clashes between forces and protesters in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir")
Pellet guns "may be" used by the security forces in Kashmir valley to disperse the rioters if their alternatives fail, the government said today.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj G Ahir said that the government had constituted an expert committee on July 26, 2016 to explore other possible alternatives to pellet guns as non-lethal weapons.
"The commitee has submitted its report and the recommendations have been taken into account by the government for appropriate implementation.
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"Accordingly, the government has decided that the security forces will resort to various measures such as using Pava- chilli (shells and grenades), Stun Lac (shells and grenades) and tear smoke shells to disperse the rioters," he said.
The Minister added: "However, if these measures prove to be ineffective in dispersing of rioters, use of pellet guns may be resorted to."
He was replying to question whether the government is planning to take a re-look at the non-lethal weapons used by the security forces as scores of people have lost their vision due to shots fired from pellet guns in the Kashmir valley.
