A day after the Supreme Court asked the government to consider means other than pellet guns to dispel mobs in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has stuck to their stand.
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.
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Yesterday, the apex court , via a bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar also expressed concern over injuries suffered by minors involved in protests in the Kashmir Valley and asked the government what action has been taken by it against their parents.
The apex court asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to file a detailed reply on what alternate effective steps could be taken to deal with such situation of agitating mobs in Jammu and Kashmir.
The bench posted the hearing for April 10.
On December 14 last year, the apex court had said pellet guns should not be used "indiscriminately" for controlling street protests in Jammu and Kashmir and be resorted to only after "proper application of mind" by the authorities.
With PTI Inputs
