MHA to form an expert committee to look into alternative of pellet Guns: Rajnath Singh

Home Minister had earlier in Rajya Sabha said he was willing to examine use of pellet guns, which has become infamous for becoming leading cause of injuries in the Valley.

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Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh

With use of pellet guns to control agitating crowds in Kashmir valley under fire, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha that an expert committee will look for alternatives of pellet guns. This was after a discussion in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, when opposition parties tore into PDP-BJP alliance in state and Centre's inept handling of the situation after killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

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Home Minister had earlier in Rajya Sabha said he was willing to examine use of pellet guns, which has become infamous for becoming leading cause of injuries in the Valley. The pellet gun has been in use in the Valley since 2010. It was used for the first time in 2010, when central armed police force used to disperse the anti-amarnath land issue agitation. As per the home minister, 6 people were killed, 198 were injured while 5 were blinded by use of pellet guns.

Pellets are loaded with led and once fired disperse into huge numbers. Pellets penetrate the skin, especially soft tissues and eyes.

A team of doctors from Aiims is already in valley to help in such cases.

The home minister told the house, that PM and he have asked the security forces to exercise restraint.

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