Ban use of pellet guns, electric shock batons by all police forces: disability rights outfits

Disability rights organisations, doctors’ groups, individuals, and concerned citizens have condemned the apparent use of pellet guns and electric shock weapons against protesters during the ‘ Chalo Sansad ’ march in the national capital on July 20. The incident allegedly occurred in the youth-led protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over examination paper leaks.

The Progressive Medicos and Scientific Forum (PMSF) and groups under the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) umbrella have demanded immediate ban on the use of pellet guns, electric shock batons and all other weapons capable of causing permanent disability by all police and paramilitary forces. They have also sought an independent judicial inquiry into the matter.

“The government should identify and prosecute all personnel responsible for the use of such weapons and fix accountability throughout the chain of command, including those who authorised their deployment,’’ the NPRD statement said.