crowd control in Jammu and Kashmir

India and Pakistan have fought three wars in Kashmir during 1947–1948, 1965 and the Kargil War in 1999.{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1965.htm|title=Indo-Pakistan War of 1965|website=Global Security|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230233204/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1965.htm|archive-date=30 December 2018|access-date=30 December 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399992/A-brief-history-of-the-Kashmir-conflict.html|title=A brief history of the Kashmir conflict|date=24 September 2001|work=The Telegraph|access-date=30 December 2018|issn=0307-1235}} In 27 years, between 1990 and 2017, insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir claimed a total of 41,000 lives (14,000 civilians, 5,000 security personnel and 22,000 militants) according to government figures made available in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-anatomy-of-kashmir-militancy-in-numbers/story-UncrzPTGhN22Uf1HHe64JJ.html|title=41,000 deaths in 27 years: The anatomy of Kashmir militancy in numbers|last1=Jacob|first1=Jayanth|last2=Naqshbandi|first2=Aurangzeb|date=25 September 2017|website=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504154945/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-anatomy-of-kashmir-militancy-in-numbers/story-UncrzPTGhN22Uf1HHe64JJ.html|archive-date=4 May 2018|access-date=30 December 2018}}

In February 2010, the Special Director General (SDGP) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) N K Tripathi stated that since the militancy related activities have declined in the region, "a new form of gunless terrorism in the shape of stone-pelting has emerged in Kashmir", "It is being funded by Pakistan and its agencies through over ground workers (sympathizers of militants) and hawala channels" with an objective to disturb the peace in Kashmir and India. He added that "There are a large number of instances of unprovoked stone-pelting by hostile mobs on CRPF that has left 1500 jawans injured and close to 400 vehicles damaged in the last one-and-a-half year" (2009–10).{{cite news |title=Now 'gunless terror' stalks JK - Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/Now--gunless-terror--stalks-JK/575058 |access-date=5 April 2019 |work=archive.indianexpress.com |date=3 February 2010}}

In June 2018, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued the UN's first-ever report on human rights conditions in Kashmir. Because both Pakistan and India excluded UN investigators from their territories, the report was based on public domain information and research by local and international human rights groups. United Nations human rights officials through the report had asked both India and Pakistan to investigate the abuse of rights in the regions administered by them.{{cite news|author=Cumming-Bruce, Nick|date=14 June 2018|access-date=20 March 2019|title=Top U.N. Rights Official Seeks Inquiry on Kashmir Abuses|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/world/asia/kashmir-un-human-rights.html|work=The New York Times}} The report asked for numerous human rights corrections on both sides, and asked Pakistan to stop misusing anti-terror legislation. India rejected the report, which asked for urgent repeal of the 1990 Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act under which its security forces have immunity.{{cite news|title=India rejects UN report on rights violations in Kashmir, calls it 'fallacious, motivated'|author=Jacob, Jayanth and Hussain, Ashiq|date=15 June 2018|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-rejects-un-report-on-rights-violations-in-kashmir-calls-it-fallacious-motivated/story-WR0yfxcibx8JtyEW0ledLL.html|access-date=5 March 2019|publisher=Hindustan Times}} Pakistan refutes UN allegations that it supports Kashmiri militants.{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/why-the-kashmir-conflict-is-not-just-an-india-pakistan-border-dispute|title=Why the Kashmir conflict is not just an India-Pakistan border dispute|author=Zutshi, Chitralekha|date= 5 March 2019|access-date=8 March 2019|publisher=The Conversation via NewsHour Productions LLC}}

Indian security forces have been criticized for using excessive force to control protests in Jammu and Kashmir.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/02/22/indian-troops-martyr-kashmiri-youth-in-sopore/|title=Indian troops martyr Kashmiri youth in Sopore {{!}} Pakistan Today|date=22 February 2019|website=Pakistan Today|access-date=17 March 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/view/avoiding-war-between-india-and-pakistan-over-kashmir|title=Avoiding Catastrophic Conflict in South Asia|date=28 February 2019|website=BloombergQuint|access-date=17 March 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://kashmirwatch.com/negating-battle-of-hatred/|title=Negating Battle of Hatred|last=Editor|date=23 February 2019|website=KashmirWatch|language=en-US|access-date=17 March 2019}} The Pakistani military has supported the militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba and have been seen by observers as the "main impediment to a final peace".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/why-the-war-between-india-and-pakistan-for-kashmir-burns-on|title=Why the War for Kashmir Burns On|author=Filkins, Dexter|date=28 February 2019|access-date=19 March 2019|magazine=The New Yorker}}

According to data accessed by The Times of India in 2016, Jammu and Kashmir saw at least a three-year{{Nbsp}}peak in riots, totaling 2897{{Nbsp}}rioting incidents. According to Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, K. Durga Prasad, the director-general of the CRPF during 2016, there were 47{{Nbsp}}incidents of grenade attacks and 43{{Nbsp}}petrol or acid attacks on CRPF personnel in the region, as well as 142{{Nbsp}}incidents of stone pelting reported on CRPF camps.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pava-shell-as-substitute-for-pellet-gun-not-the-solution-we-need-something-else-director-general-crpf-at-farewell-presser-4546125/|title=PAVA shell as substitute for pellet gun not the solution, we need something else: CRPF DG at farewell presser|date=27 February 2017|website=The Indian Express|others=Express Web Desk|access-date=4 January 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/jammu-and-kashmir/story/kashmir-valley-stone-pelting-pellet-guns-crpf-962928-2017-02-27|title=Kashmir: Pellet guns with deflectors, CRPF's new jugaad for stone-pelters|last=Kaur|first=Kamaljit|date=27 February 2017|website=India Today|access-date=4 January 2019}} Rioting fell to 732{{Nbsp}}incidents in the valley in 2018, with 51{{Nbsp}}protesters being killed during clashes and 37{{Nbsp}}protesters being killed during encounters.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/riots-on-streets-down-rioting-during-encounters-up-in-valley/articleshow/67294824.cms|title=Riots on streets down, rioting during encounters up in Valley - Times of India|last=Singh|first=Aarti Tikoo|date=29 December 2018|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229115511/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//india/riots-on-streets-down-rioting-during-encounters-up-in-valley/articleshow/67294824.cms|archive-date=29 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2018}}

Orders banning mass gatherings are legally enacted through Section{{Nbsp}}144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989, the state act for Jammu and Kashmir, not the central Code of Criminal Procedure for India).{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/prohibitory-orders-imposed-in-kashmir-valley/articleshow/63578559.cms|title=Prohibitory orders imposed in Kashmir Valley|last=PTI|date=2 April 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=27 December 2018}}Law Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir (2010). [http://www.jklaw.nic.in/jammu_kashmir_acts.pdf Alphabetical List of State Acts as on July 2010]. National Informatic Centre (NIC). Curfews are also enacted by district magistrates through Section{{Nbsp}}144.{{Cite news|url=http://epaper.greaterkashmir.com/epaperpdf/832013/832013-md-hr-1.pdf|title=Government to Clamp Curfews Today|last=Yusuf|first=Shabir|date=7 March 2013|work=Greater Kashmir}} In 2016 Kashmir unrest after the killing of Burhan Wani, a curfew was enforced in the Kashmir valley. The curfew lasted for over 60{{Nbsp}}days, the longest in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/kashmir-curfew-completes-60-days-longest-ever-in-history/227790.html|title=Curfew completes 60 days, longest ever in history|last=Yusuf|first=Shabir Ibn|date=6 September 2016|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=28 December 2018}} In 2016 and 2017, a total of 168{{Nbsp}}curfews and restrictions have been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir with Anantnag district seeing the most restrictions being imposed, a total of 51{{Nbsp}}times.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/168-curfews-imposed-in-9-districts-of-kashmir-in-2016-2017-mehbooba-mufti/articleshow/62622615.cms|title=168 curfews imposed in 9 districts of Kashmir in 2016, 2017: Mehbooba Mufti|last=PTI|date=23 January 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=28 December 2018}}

The Ministry of Home Affairs set up a task force in September 2010 to recommend standard operating procedures to provide guidelines for crowd and riot control.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=83915|title=SOP Being Finalised to Deal with Public Agitation|date=15 May 2012|website=Public Information Bureau|publisher=National Informatics Centre, India|access-date=27 December 2018}} The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) in India laid out these guidelines in their report, "Standard Operating Procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal measures".{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures|title=Standard operating procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal measures|last=Bureau of Police Research and Development|date=2011|via=Scribd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227095239/https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures|archive-date=27 December 2018|access-date=27 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/us-based-rights-group-accuse-india-of-excessive-use-of-force-obstructing-access-to-medical-care-in-valley-4415175/|title=US-based rights group accuse India of excessive use of force, obstructing access to medical care in Valley|last=Masood|first=Bashaarat|date=7 December 2016|website=The Indian Express|access-date=27 December 2018}} The equipment listed includes tasers, dye grenades, stink bombs, water cannons, regular tear gas shells and plastic bullets for mob dispersal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20110627-civil-unrest-in-kashmir-tear-gas-shell-baba-ramdev-eviction-746533-2011-06-17|title=Police should use non-lethal means for crowd dispersal: Report|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=17 June 2011|website=India Today|access-date=27 December 2018}} Pellet guns were not part of the BPRD's list of "non-lethal" equipment under these standard operating procedures.{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-pellet-guns-bprd|title=RTI Revelation: Pellet Guns Not Standard Procedure For Crowd Control|last=Bhatnagar|first=Gaurav Vivek|date=10 August 2016|website=The Wire|access-date=27 December 2017}}

In August 2016, the director general of CRPF, IPS officer, R. R. Bhatnagar, had stated that a multi-step graded mechanism is followed by the CRPF for dealing with crowds. "The first weapon used to disperse the crowds, be it near an encounter site or anywhere else, is the tear smoke munitions. The next in the list are chili bombs, followed by pump action guns. Preventing collateral damage is our priority. We do not want civilians getting injured during counter-insurgency operations."{{cite news |title=Chilli bombs to tear gas, CRPF looks at alternatives to pellet guns in Kashmir |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/from-chilli-bombs-to-tear-gas-crpf-looks-at-less-lethal-ways-to-quell-mob-violence-in-kashmir/story-M3wFKd9OzGaDqt7RPXuv6J.html |access-date=28 December 2018 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=25 April 2018 }}

In 2017, following the 2016–17{{Nbsp}}Kashmir unrest, the Ministry of Home Affairs set up another expert panel to review usage of pellet guns and suggest replacements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/plastic-bullet-replace-pellets-711359.html|title=Plastic Bullet to replace the pellets in Kashmir valley|last=Ray|first=Kalyan|date=4 January 2019|website=Deccan Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104231100/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/plastic-bullet-replace-pellets-711359.html|archive-date=2019-01-04|url-status=dead|access-date=4 January 2019}} The panel suggested recommendations based on the United Nations Peacekeeping Pre-deployment Training (PDT) Standards report of 2015. Plastic bullets were deployed following this, adding to the list of non-lethal alternatives for security forces in the region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-plastic-bullets-pellet-guns-un-peacekeeping-972172-2017-04-18|title=Using plastic bullets in Kashmir drawn from UN peacekeeping standards for crowd control|last=Kaur|first=Kamaljit|date=18 April 2017|website=India Today|access-date=4 January 2019}}

During the Kashmir Unrest from 8 July to 11 August 2016, when more than 1000 violent incidents occurred, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said they used fourteen types of "less lethal and non-lethal" equipment for controlling crowds, including oleoresin grenades and electric shells with a total of 8,650 tear-smoke shells and around 2,671{{Nbsp}}plastic pellets being used.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/1.3-million-pellets-used-in-32-days-CRPF-tells-HC/article14577711.ece|title=1.3 million pellets used in 32 days, CRPF tells HC|last=Ashiq|first=Peerzada|date=19 August 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=28 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}} In the same year, the CRPF used around 3000 pellet{{Nbsp}}cartridges in 32{{Nbsp}}days during riots. Slingshots were also used, with stones or glass marbles being used as projectiles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/kashmir-conflict-anger-indian-police/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616103446/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/kashmir-conflict-anger-indian-police/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2018|title=Conflict in Kashmir Takes a Grim Toll on Unwitting Victims|last=Abouzeid|first=Rania|date=5 June 2018|website=National Geographic Magazine|access-date=27 December 2018}}

In mid-2018, the CRPF placed orders for non-lethal riot control equipment such as 300,000{{Nbsp}}rubber bullets and 200,000{{Nbsp}}tear gas shells as well as chili grenades and dye-marker grenades.{{cite news |title=Anti-Sterlite protests: After Kashmir, police fire rubber bullets in Thoothukudi for the first time |url=https://www.newsxind.com/national/anti-sterlite-protests-after-kashmir-police-fires-rubber-bullets-in-thoothukudi-for-the-first-time |access-date=16 March 2019 |work=NewsX IND |date=23 May 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/focus-on-non-lethal-ammo-ahead-of-valley-summer/cid/1343652|title=Focus on non-lethal ammo ahead of Valley summer|last=Siddiqui|first=Imran Ahmed|date=1 May 2018|website=Telegraph India|access-date=28 December 2018}} In December 2018, the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) invited bids from makers and dealers for procurement of new pepper-ball launching systems and anti-riot gas masks. The pepper-ball launching systems fire projectiles from 'forced compliance weapons', similar to paintball guns.{{Cite news|url=https://greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/jammu-and-kashmir-police-to-get-new-non-lethal-pepper-ball-launching-systems-riot-control-gas-masks/307693.html|title=Jammu and Kashmir police to get new non-lethal pepper-ball launching systems, riot-control gas masks|last=PTI|date=28 December 2018|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=28 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228130249/https://greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/jammu-and-kashmir-police-to-get-new-non-lethal-pepper-ball-launching-systems-riot-control-gas-masks/307693.html|archive-date=28 December 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/j-k-police-to-get-non-lethal-riot-control-equipment-118122800700_1.html|title=J&K police to get non-lethal riot control equipment|last=IANS|date=28 December 2018|work=Business Standard India|access-date=28 December 2018}}

In 2018, over 500 female CRPF personnel have also been deployed to deal with female stone pelters among other things.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/crpf-deploys-500-women-commandoes-in-kashmir-to-deal-with-female-stone-pelters/articleshow/64817096.cms|title=CRPF deploys 500 women commandoes in Kashmir to deal with female stone pelters|last=Chauhan|first=Neeraj|date=1 July 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=16 March 2019}}

File:Police Protesters Clash after Eid Prayers in Kashmir 2 Sept 2017 29.jpg

Pellet guns are a form of pump-action riot shotguns that fire metal pellets, also called birdshot. Pellets are small metal pieces, round or irregular in shape. One pellet cartridge contains around 500{{Nbsp}}pellets. They are manufactured at the Ordinance Factory in Ichapore.

Pellet guns are used by Indian police forces (CRPF and the Jammu and Kashmir Police) as a less-lethal defensive crowd control measure against violent, stone pelting mobs in Jammu and Kashmir.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-violence-what-are-pellet-guns-and-why-are-they-so-lethal-2913917/|title=What are pellet guns and why are they so lethal?|last=Akhzer|first=Adil|date=22 July 2016|website=The Indian Express|access-date=23 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://amnesty.org.in/six-things-know-pellet-shotguns-kashmir/|title=Six Things You Should Know About Pellet Shotguns In Kashmir|date=1 February 2018|website=Amnesty International India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223025949/https://amnesty.org.in/six-things-know-pellet-shotguns-kashmir/|archive-date=23 December 2018}} These were introduced by the central government following the 2010{{Nbsp}}Kashmir unrest in which over 100{{Nbsp}}protesters were killed in police firing.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/What-are-pellet-guns-and-why-are-they-lethal/article14501024.ece|title=What are pellet guns and why are they lethal?|last=Singh|first=Vijaita|date=21 July 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=23 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}} Since July–August 2016, more than 1000 violent incidents took place in Jammu and Kashmir in which more than 3,329 security passengers and 5,000 protestors were injured.{{cite news |title=Over 3,000 Security Personnel Injured In Kashmir Violence: State Police |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/over-3-300-security-personnel-injured-in-kashmir-violence-1441434 |access-date=13 April 2019 |work=NDTV.com |date=8 August 2016}} The Jammu and Kashmir police used pellet guns for the first time on crowds on 14 August 2010, when a mob of around 3000{{Nbsp}}people tried to overrun a Rashtriya Rifles base in Sopore.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/JampK-police-for-the-first-time-use-non-lethal-weapon-for-crowd-control/article16131974.ece|title=J&K police for the first time use non-lethal weapon for crowd control|last=PTI|date=14 August 2010|work=The Hindu|access-date=27 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}}

In July 2016, protests began in Kashmir after senior separatist militant Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces. Violent mobs numbering thousands of local residents came out in the streets on a daily basis, attacking the security forces with stones. The mobs did not have an obvious leader and consisted mostly of young boys. Lack of a clear leader further complicated the crowd control measures.{{cite news |title=India to replace some pellet guns with chili-filled shells in Kashmir |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-chilli-rajnathsingh/india-to-replace-some-pellet-guns-with-chilli-filled-shells-in-kashmir-idINKCN11B10W |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123164738/https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-chilli-rajnathsingh/india-to-replace-some-pellet-guns-with-chilli-filled-shells-in-kashmir-idINKCN11B10W |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 November 2018 |access-date=20 January 2019 |publisher=Reuters |date=5 September 2016 }} Reuters reported a senior police officer stating that the police were often forced to deploy non-lethal pellet guns at a close range in self defence from attacks by violent mobs.

Since July 2016, thousands of people in Jammu and Kashmir have suffered pellet wounds,{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/6221-pellet-gun-injuries-reported-in-unrest-after-burhan-killing-jk-govt/articleshow/62641050.cms|title=6,221 pellet-gun injuries reported in unrest after Burhan killing: J&K govt|last=PTI|date=24 January 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=25 December 2018}} hundreds sustained eye injuries, and at least 14{{Nbsp}}people have died due to pellet injuries.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46368231|title=Injured baby refuels India pellet gun row|date=28 November 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=25 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://amnesty.org.in/losing-sight-kashmir-impact-pellet-firing-shotguns/|title=Losing Sight in Kashmir: The Impact of Pellet-Firing Shotguns|website=Amnesty International India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225081915/https://amnesty.org.in/losing-sight-kashmir-impact-pellet-firing-shotguns/|archive-date=25 December 2018|access-date=25 December 2018}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/longform/pellet-gun-victims-kashmir/|title=Pellet Gun Victims in Kashmir on the Devastating Consequences of the 'Non-Lethal' Weapon|last=Perrigo|first=Billy|date=6 September 2018|magazine=Time|access-date=25 December 2018}} At least 16{{Nbsp}}personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police have also suffered pellet injuries. More than 570 patients with mutilated retinas or severed optic nerves entered SMHS Hospital in Srinagar after their eyes were hit with pellets. 27 protestors were struck by pellets in both eyes. Dr. Natarajan and his team came to help on the request of the Adhik Kadam who is a social worker working since 1997 in Jammu and Kashmir runs a local Non Profit organization Borderless World Foundation{{cite news|title=An Epidemic of 'Dead Eyes' in Kashmir as India Uses Pellet Guns on Protesters|author=Barry, Ellen|date=28 August 2016|access-date=17 March 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/29/world/asia/pellet-guns-used-in-kashmir-protests-cause-dead-eyes-epidemic.html|work=The New York Times}}

One of the youngest pellet gun victims is a 19-month-old{{Nbsp}}child, Heeba Jan, who suffered injuries in 2018 when she and her mother were caught in the middle of a violent clash while escaping from tear gas near their house. Local residents had attempted to interrupt an ongoing gunfight between armed militants inside a house and police forces, and when the police tried to stop the residents, a violent clash ensued and tear gas and pellet guns were deployed.{{cite news |title=19-Month-Old, Kashmir's Youngest Pellet Survivor, Needs Several Surgeries |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/19-month-old-kashmirs-youngest-pellet-survivor-needs-several-surgeries-1957244 |access-date=20 January 2019 |publisher=NDTV.com |date=3 December 2018}} Another young victim, 15-year-old Insha Malik (Insha Ahmed), sustained eye injuries observing protests from her house in Shopian.

Pellet guns have been criticised for the injuries they cause especially when the pellets hit the eyes of protesters causing partial blindness.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/29/world/asia/pellet-guns-used-in-kashmir-protests-cause-dead-eyes-epidemic.html|title=An Epidemic of 'Dead Eyes' in Kashmir as India Uses Pellet Guns on Protesters|last=Barry|first=Ellen|date=28 August 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=25 December 2018|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/paramilitary-scouts-for-non-lethal-alternatives-after-criticism-over-pellet-guns/story-lBEf5XmjrV1f2mhtAipHNM.html|title=Paramilitary readies 'non-lethal' alternatives after criticism over pellet guns|last=Javaid|first=Azaan|date=1 October 2018|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 December 2018}} Hospitals are overwhelmed with treating the victims during the periods of intense protests. According to the president of Doctors Association Kashmir:

{{blockquote|quote=The pellet guns have been a horrific nightmare. Calling the pellet gun non-lethal is a dangerous fallacy. Even after the surgeries, we cannot remove all the pellets from the bodies. They are like ticking time bombs inside a person.}}

Protests have been held to ban or replace pellet guns with less harmful ammunitions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pellet-guns-blind-too-many-protesters-so-india-seeks-a-new-nonlethal-weapon/2016/08/30/47d14b3e-6e11-11e6-993f-73c693a89820_story.html|title=Pellet guns blind too many protesters, so India seeks a new nonlethal weapon|last=Lakshmi|first=Rama|date=31 August 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=Fred Ryan|location=New Delhi|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358|access-date=15 January 2019}}

According to Amnesty International India, pellet guns are not officially in use anywhere else in India.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/6221-people-suffered-pellet-gun-injuries-in-jammu-and-kashmir-in-the-seven-months-after-burhan-wanis-death-4318831.html|title=6,221 people suffered pellet-gun injuries in Jammu and Kashmir in the seven months after Burhan Wani's death|last=PTI|date=25 January 2018|website=Firstpost|access-date=25 December 2018}} In July 2016, Amnesty International asked the government to ban the usage of pellet guns and seek less harmful devices.{{cite news |title=India to consider alternatives to pellet gun use in Kashmir - Rajnath Singh |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-guns/india-to-consider-alternatives-to-pellet-gun-use-in-kashmir-rajnath-singh-idINKCN10123S |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630083735/https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-guns/india-to-consider-alternatives-to-pellet-gun-use-in-kashmir-rajnath-singh-idINKCN10123S |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2018 |access-date=20 January 2019 |publisher=Reuters |date=22 July 2016 }} The United Nations Commission on Human Rights called the pellet guns "one of most dangerous weapons used against protesters".{{cite news |title=UN seeks international inquiry into Kashmir rights abuses |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/un-seeks-international-inquiry-into-kashmir-rights-abuses/288089.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |publisher=Greater Kashmir |date=15 June 2018}} In August 2016, Kashmiri doctors and medical workers wore a white gauze patch over one eye to protest the use of pellet guns and a recent killing in Srinagar.{{cite news|title=Kashmiri doctors and medical workers wear bandages on their eyes as a mark of protest against the use of pellet guns and recent killings in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir|date=31 August 2016|access-date=19 March 2019|url=http://pakistannewsviews.com/kashmir-paradise-breaks-heart/kashmiri-doctors-and-medical-workers-wear-bandages-on-their-eyes-as-a-mark-of-protest-against-the-use-of-pellet-guns-and-recent-killings-in-srinagar-indian-controlled-kashmir/|publisher=Pakistan News Views}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Responding to a public interest litigation in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court the CRPF stated that the "pellet guns were introduced in 2010 as an accepted weapon of riot control". and added that "In case this (pellet shotgun) is withdrawn, the CRPF would have no recourse in extreme situations but to open fire with rifles, which may cause more fatalities."

A senior security official in Kashmir told The Washington Post:

{{blockquote|quote=There is an orchestrated campaign against pellet guns precisely because it is doing the work of effectively controlling the violent mob protests. When there is a determined militant crowd hurling sharp stones at us and [they] break our helmets, shields and bones, then we need to act. Tear-gas shells are not very effective because protesters use wet cloth to cover their eyes and are back in action in two minutes.}}

In July 2016, Rajnath Singh, Home Minister of India, while responding to questions related to the increase in violent incidents in Kashmir, stated that a panel to study and recommend the alternatives to pellet guns would be established.

Various replacements for pellet guns have been suggested, such as chili grenades, dye-marker filled grenades, tear smoke grenades, stun grenades, PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide/ Nonivamide) shells, long-range acoustic devices, and shock batons.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/9-alternatives-to-pellet-guns/listshow/53881995.cms|title=9 alternatives to pellet guns|date=27 August 2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=25 December 2018}} It has also been suggested that the pellets could be made from polymer, soft plastic, rubber, or paper.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Pellet-guns-are-here-to-stay-committee-suggests-alternatives/article14620019.ece|title=Pellet guns are here to stay; committee suggests alternatives|last=Singh|first=Vijaita|date=29 August 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}} In July 2016, a seven-member expert committee headed by Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer T. V. S. N. Prasad, a joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, looked into the alternatives to pellet guns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/home-top/story/7-member-committee-on-pellet-guns-to-submit-its-report-in-2-months-331529-2016-07-26|title=Kashmir unrest: 7-member committee on pellet guns to submit its report in 2 months|last=Sandu|first=Kamaljit Kaur|date=26 July 2016|website=India Today|access-date=25 December 2018}} To the committee, the Indian Army advocated the mediation of crowd control with pepper guns, acoustic devices, and chili grenades.{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-exclusive-army-backs-pepper-over-pellets-in-kashmir/story-Vvc2Y3zkcuISfxxKk7pWrJ.html|title=Army backs pepper shots, chilli grenades over pellet guns in Kashmir|date=15 August 2016|access-date=18 March 2019|author=Singh, Rahul|publisher=Hindustan Times}} The committee submitted its report to Home Secretary and IAS officer Rajiv Mehrishi in September 2016.

The first batch of around 1,000{{Nbsp}}chili-filled grenades were dispatched to the Kashmir valley in late 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Chilli-filled-grenades-to-replace-pellet-guns-in-JampK/article14621960.ece|title=Chilli-filled grenades to replace pellet guns in J&K|date=4 September 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chilli-filled-pava-shells-expert-panel-s-top-choice-to-replace-pellet-guns/story-3K6a0Kq2s1ALF9vGQejfvO.html|title=Chilli-filled 'Pava shells' seen as alternative to pellet guns|last=HT Correspondent|date=25 August 2016|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 December 2018}} Various other replacements have been tried, such as pepper balls, oleoresin capsicum grenades, CONDOR rubber pellets, and FN303{{Nbsp}}guns in 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-pellet-guns-chilli-based-shells-burhan-wani-killing-mehbooba-mufti-3011541/|title=Kashmir unrest: From pellet guns to chilli shells, the full story|date=3 September 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=27 December 2018}}

In 2018, a Border Security Force (BSF) workshop in Tekanpur Academy modified pellet guns with deflectors to minimize injuries.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/crpfs-new-deflector-fitted-guns-to-become-operational-to-minimise-injuries/articleshow/57375970.cms|title=CRPF's new 'deflector' fitted guns to become operational to minimise injuries|last=Gurung|first=Shaurya Karanbir|date=13 July 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=4 January 2019}}

Since 2017, as a part of a graded response to violent protests, Indian security forces have used plastic bullets before employing pellet guns. They have multiple options for enforcing crowd control, such as tear smoke shells, PAVA shells, rubber bullets fired from gas guns, plastic bullets and pellet guns, before finally resorting to opening fire.

File:Police Protesters Clash after Eid Prayers in Kashmir 2 Sept 2017 8.jpg in Kashmir on 2018-09-02]]

Tear-gas shells are commonly used as crowd and riot control equipment in Jammu and Kashmir.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sporadic-clashes-stone-pelting-reported-as-kashmir-celebrates-eid/story-NHxX5wKhJCpE6O2WyyKgKL.html|title=Police fire tear gas to control clashes, stone pelting as Kashmir celebrates Eid|last=Hussain|first=Ashiq|date=26 June 2017|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=28 December 2018}}

In June 2010, Tufail Ahmed Mattoo died after a tear gas canister struck him on the head. The death of Mattoo by the tear gas canister led to mob violence and resulted in the death of more than 100{{Nbsp}}people. Following the incident, a committee was set up to decide the standard operating procedures to be followed for dispersing "unlawful assemblies with minimum force and collateral damage". The committee's report on "the standard operating procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal means" stated that the effectiveness of tear gas is limited in open areas and is also determined by the wind conditions. The report also concluded that "[p]eople have learned protective tricks like the use of wet cloth to counter it. Experienced rioters do not take it seriously. The shells are either smothered with a wet gunny bag or thrown back at the police".{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/02/12/tear-gas-in-kashmir/|title=Tear gas in Kashmir|last=Stern|first=Jeffrey|date=12 February 2010|website=Foreign Policy|access-date=28 December 2018}}

In August 2016, Irfan Ahmad, 18, was killed in the Nowhatta after being hit on the left side of his chest by a tear gas shell.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-unrest-teen-boy-dies-after-being-hit-by-tear-gas-shell/story-83XWaiIEABZQrmR1tR8ZsI.html|title=Kashmir unrest: Teen boy dies after being hit by tear gas shell|last=Hussain|first=Ashiq|date=21 August 2016|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=28 December 2018}} The following month, an elderly man inside his home died of cardiac arrest during tear gas shelling in the Kulgam district.{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page/day-61-kulgam-man-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-amid-teargas-shelling/227907.html|title=DAY 61: Kulgam man dies of cardiac arrest amid teargas shelling|last1=Gul|first1=Khalid|date=8 September 2018|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=28 December 2018|last2=Bashir|first2=Abid}}

The CRPF have employed several methods to reduce the collateral losses and civilian casualties from crowd control measures. After several rounds of internal testing to identify crowd control weapons that can avoid causing grievous injuries to protestors, the government introduced soft-nosed shells. During its deployment, the plastic of the shell easily melts, releasing a gas that assists in dispersing the crowd. This mechanism renders the soft-nosed shells incapable of inflicting fatal injuries. According to CRPF officers, there also have been advancements in tear smoke munitions which have made it possible to increase the use of these munitions as compared to other weapons used in crowd control. Since the summer of 2018, CRPF have been using chili bombs and soft-nosed tear gas shells.

Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed plastic bullets as an alternative to pellet guns for crowd control in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the director of the laboratory, plastic bullets are 500{{Nbsp}}times less lethal than pellets. The plastic bullets can be fired from the same rifles by changing the magazine. They can be fired from AK-47 and INSAS rifles commonly used by the security forces in the region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-sends-1-lakh-plastic-bullets-chilli-filled-pava-shells-to-kashmir-valley/story-FvGHCLM1U8S9A7drB439EP.html|title=Centre sends 1 lakh plastic bullets, chilli-filled PAVA shells to Kashmir Valley|last=Ahuja|first=Rajesh|date=20 June 2017|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=4 January 2019}} According to CRPF officials, the plastic bullets can be fired only in single-shot mode and not in burst mode. Additionally, plastic bullets can be used only on one person at a time, in contrast to pellet guns which can cover a larger area and reach multiple persons. 21,000{{Nbsp}}rounds of plastic bullets were sent to Kashmir in 2018 for riot control.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/crpf-sends-21000-less-lethal-plastic-bullets-to-kashmir/articleshow/60988863.cms|title=CRPF sends 21000 "less lethal" plastic bullets to Kashmir|date=14 July 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=4 January 2019|agency=PTI}} Usage of plastic bullets is based on the list of non lethal weapons that are approved by the United Nations peacekeeping standards for crowd control.

{{Main|Chili grenade}}

Indian military scientists from DRDO developed chili grenades for use as stun grenades against terrorists. In 2009, DRDO stated that the chili grenades would use bhut jolokia, one of the world's hottest chili powders, to control rioters and in counter-insurgency operations.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8119591.stm|title=India plans hot chilli grenades|date=25 June 2009|work=BBC|access-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117153050/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8119591.stm|archive-date=17 November 2018}} BBC reported bhut Jholokia to be 1,000 times stronger than other variants of chili. The scientists claimed that chili grenades could be adapted into "civilian variants" for crowd control in a way similar to pepper spray.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8584988.stm|title=India scientists hail 'multi-purpose' chillis|last=Bhaumik|first=Subir|date=24 March 2010|work=BBC|access-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107143213/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8584988.stm|archive-date=7 November 2016}} The chili grenades use naga chili apart from bhut jolokia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-exclusive-army-backs-pepper-over-pellets-in-kashmir/story-Vvc2Y3zkcuISfxxKk7pWrJ.html|title=Army backs pepper shots, chilli grenades over pellet guns in Kashmir|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=15 August 2016|website=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630052855/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-exclusive-army-backs-pepper-over-pellets-in-kashmir/story-Vvc2Y3zkcuISfxxKk7pWrJ.html|archive-date=30 June 2018|access-date=31 December 2018}}

In 2016, the Border Security Force gave a demonstration to the media of chili-filled shells. The shells were a stronger irritant than pepper spray and tear gas.{{cite news|title=Pellet guns blind too many protesters, so India seeks a new nonlethal weapon|author=Lakshmi, Rama|date=31 August 2016|access-date=19 March 2019|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pellet-guns-blind-too-many-protesters-so-india-seeks-a-new-nonlethal-weapon/2016/08/30/47d14b3e-6e11-11e6-993f-73c693a89820_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post}} Rifles and pump-action guns are capable of firing these shells, and the guns can be assembled on police vehicles. In 2016, the first batch of 1,000{{Nbsp}}chili-filled grenades was sent to the Kashmir Valley for use in crowd control.

Water cannons have been used in Jammu and Kashmir to disperse violent stone-pelting crowds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/india-forces-use-tear-gas-and-water-cannons-to-stop-kashmir-students-protesting-1.13365|title=India forces use tear gas and water cannons to stop Kashmir students protesting|last=Associated Press|date=24 April 2017|website=The National|access-date=31 December 2018}} These have their own limitations, such as low range, limitations of refilling, and inability of the water cannon-mounted trucks to access small lanes. An {{convert|8000|L|adj=on}} water tank can be emptied by the water cannon in eight minutes and refilling it may not be possible during a riot.

Water cannons with dyed purple water were used on a teachers' protest of July 2018 in Srinagar.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/18/pictures-day-18-july-2018/indian-police-fire-jet-dyed-water-water-cannon-kashmiri-government/|title=Pictures of the Day: 18 July 2018|last=Nazir|first=Yawar|date=18 July 2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=31 December 2018|issn=0307-1235}}

Firing in the air has often been used to disperse crowds. Live rounds have reportedly also been used by security forces against protestors during violent clashes, leading to civilian deaths.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/04/unrest-in-kashmir-surges-once-more/524412/|title=Unrest in Kashmir Surges Once More|last=Taylor|first=Alan|date=26 April 2017|website=The Atlantic|language=en|access-date=2 March 2019}}

On 19 July 2016, the Indian army opened fire on protestors who were defying a curfew and throwing stones. Three people were killed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-unrest-protests-flare-3-killed-as-army-opens-fire-330067-2016-07-19|title=Kashmir unrest: Protests flare, 3 killed as army opens fire|date=19 July 2016|website=India Today|agency=Reuters|access-date=2 March 2019}} On 15 December 2018, counterinsurgency operations were carried out against militants in Sirnoo village in Pulwama, Kashmir.{{cite news |title=7 Dead In Firing By Forces In Clashes After Encounter In J&K's Pulwama |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-dead-in-firing-by-security-forces-in-clashes-after-pulwama-encounter-1963013 |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=NDTV.com |date=15 December 2018}} Three militants and a soldier were killed in the gunfight that ensued. Civilian protestors who gathered at the site violently clashed with the Indian forces, in which seven civilians died with bullet wounds and several others were wounded with pellet injuries.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/world/asia/india-kashmir-protest.html|title=Seven Civilians Killed as Indian Police Fire on Kashmir Protesters|agency=Reuters|date=15 December 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=2 March 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• Bukhari, Mannan (2015). [https://books.google.com/books?id=43ZJCgAAQBAJ&q=pellet+guns+kashmir Kashmir - Scars of Pellet Gun: The Brutal Face of Suppression]. Partridge Publishing. {{ISBN|9781482850062}}
• Bureau of Police Research and Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (2011). [https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures Standard Operating Procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal measures]. Accessed via Scribd on 27 December 2018. Archived [https://web.archive.org/web/20181227095239/https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures link].
• Bureau of Police Research and Development. [http://www.bprd.nic.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/201704071029428052382STUDYREPORT27.03.2017-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf Study Report on Development and Testing of Effective Non-lethal Weapons/ Technologies and Tactics for Countering Public Agitation with Minimum Force].
• Kriti M Shah (April 2017). [https://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ORF_SpecialReport_34_CivilProtests.pdf Dealing with Violent Civil Protests in India]. Observer Research Foundation

{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}

{{Kashmir conflict}}

Category:Riots and civil disorder in Jammu and Kashmir

Category:Riot control