J&K: 16-year-old succumbs to pellet injuries
A 16-year-old boy succumbed to pellet injuries in clashes between protesters and security forces in Tral area of J&K's Pulwama. Muhammad Younis Sheikh, who got hit by a pellet in his chest, was later declared dead at the hospital. The violence broke out after three terrorists were killed in an encounter. Police recovered two AK-47 rifles and a pistol from the site.
Internet, mobile services disrupted in Tral region
Following the violence, Internet and mobile services in the region were suspended. Shops and business establishments were also shut down. Meanwhile, Younis's body was taken to his home in Tral. Massive clashes also raged at Pulwama.
Use of pellet guns faces heavy criticism
In the first three months of the 2016 violence in the Valley, about 1,000 people had suffered pellet gun injuries. Subsequently, there was mass criticism about the use of pellet guns for crowd control. Even the SC questioned the issue. However, the forces have remained defiant and said they will continue to use the controversial weapons, although the government proposed non-penetrative plastic bullets.
What are some possible non-lethal means of crowd control?
Security forces have so far been using pellet guns along with Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide (PAVA) as last options, before employing assault rifles against violent crowds in Kashmir. While pellet guns fire lead pellets in large numbers, resulting in lethal injuries, PAVA, a less lethal chilli-based ammunition, temporarily immobilizes the target. A new non-lethal grenade filled with a chemical spice jelly is also planned.
