No pellet alternative entirely harmless : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

No pellet alternative entirely harmless

The Kashmir Valley has been simmering for over seven weeks.

No pellet alternative entirely harmless

Security personnel confronting stone-throwing protesters in Kashmir. File photo



Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (retd)

The Kashmir Valley has been simmering for over seven weeks. Related debates have of late centred around the use of pellet guns. Their use in J&K was started after 2010, when to control the stone throwing crowds the security forces used conventional weapons and rubber bullets, resulting in over 100 fatalities. It was hoped that the non-lethal pellet guns would minimise the damage.

Cartridges are loaded with lead pellets, which are dispersed when fired. They don’t follow a definite path. They are, in military terms, area weapons. Pellets penetrate the skin’s soft tissues. Eye being a delicate structure is particularly vulnerable. There is no merit in allegations that the security forces deliberately targeted the faces. Apart from the uncontrolled path of the pellets, not everyone in the crowd that is throwing stones is standing upright; some may be bending or crouching.  

Search is reportedly on for non-lethal alternatives to pellets. An assortment of related technology is available. The crowd control devices span from microwave energy blasters and blinding laser beams to chemical agents and deafening sonic blasters. Today, with greater presence of the media, even the lawful application of force can be misrepresented or misunderstood. This puts extra cautionary restraint on the security forces in using their weapons.

Some of the current developments in this field need mention:

Invisible pain ray: It is akin to an open-air microwave oven, sending out a focused beam of electromagnetic radiation to the target. The nearly 130 degrees F temperature it generates causes burning sensation, forcing those in its path to flee. However, the device produces second and third-degree burns and its 2-metre diameter beam covers the entire human body surface and may be life threatening.

Laser blinding dazzler: This is a huge laser. It temporarily blinds or dazzles the target, causing disorientation. The risk of permanent blindness yet requires further experimentation to gain a full understanding of its safety, effectiveness, and limitations.

TaserX12: It fires a Taser projectile round from a 12-bore gun. It delivers the same neuro-muscular incapacitation bio-effect (simply put, an electric shock) up to 100 feet. Semi-automatic fire is part of its future development, which will permit reload of up to five rounds in less than two seconds. Another project of Taser aims at “blanketing a large area with electrified darts, and a wireless Taser projectile with a 100-metre range, helpful in picking off ringleaders in unruly crowds”. However, Amnesty International has flagged that 351 Taser-related deaths occurred in the US between June 2001 and August 2008.

Then, there are calmative agents, implying “chemical or biological agents with sedative, sleep-inducing or similar psychoactive effects” for controlling a riot or calming a noncompliant offender. The most well-known and widely used riot-control agent is teargas. Further development and use of non-lethal calmative techniques is considered achievable.

Research is continuing in developing “screaming microwaves that pierce the skull”. These cause a shockwave inside the skull that can be detected by the ears. The audio effect is loud enough to cause discomfort or even incapacitation. It may also cause a little brain damage from the high-intensity shockwave created by the microwave pulse.

Ear-splitting siren: This is generally used to drive away protesters. While it is not deadly, it can cause permanent hearing damage. In this line, an Israeli-developed shock wave cannon, being commonly used by farmers to scare away crop destroying birds, is likely to be marketed in its military and security versions.

In sum, it needs to be remembered that no gun, non-lethal or less-lethal, can ever be fully harmless. A gun essentially is a weapon and violence is inherent in its use. If it has to achieve deterrence or coercion in controlling a mob, pain or discomfort has to be inflicted. Security forces may use low-lethality weapons relatively more often.

Besides, all these weapons are designed for controlling an unarmed crowd. A mob that is involved in pelting stones and in attacking security personnel with petrol bombs, and even firearms, creates a different situation.

In the context of the Valley, the gun is not the cause of the problem. Therefore, it cannot also be the solution. To that extent, the debate and focus on pellet guns becomes secondary. At best it conveys a sincere desire to avoid civilian casualties. The focus should be on creating conditions where such situations do not arise.

The problem is complex; a mix of political, religious, economic, social and psychological factors is involved. There is a sense of alienation that needs to be addressed. Burhan Wani’s killing is not the main cause of the present unrest. It only provided a spark for explosion of the simmering anger. If not the July 8 killing of Wani, some other pretext would have caused it.

Then, there is Pakistan’s continuing interference in J&K. Mehbooba Mufti, after her meeting with the Prime Minister on August 27, minced no words in accusing Pakistan. India is not new to separatist problems. We have encountered these in the North-East. Nagaland was the first to seek independence in the 1950s. Mizoram followed a decade later. The problem in Mizoram was fully resolved in the 1980s. The Naga problem is well on its way to resolution. In any case, breaking away from India is no longer their demand. 

If the problem in J&K is still lingering, it is because of Pakistan's active involvement. Their support is not limited to moral, diplomatic and political levels, as Nawaz Sharif claimed some days back. It extends way beyond — to providing weapons, explosives, money, training and, of course, sending in jehadis. Seeing strident Pak pronouncements, no let-up is likely in the near future. The only way to deter Pakistan is to convince them that they would have to pay a price. This could be in political, diplomatic, economic or even military terms. 

The writer is a former Deputy Chief of Army Staff.

Top News

Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in UP's Banda orders judicial inquiry into death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari

UP court orders judicial probe into Mukhtar Ansari’s death

The CJM has sought the probe report within a month

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

Eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh are among the poorest regions...

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai is the wife of MLA Krishanand Rai, who was shot dea...

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh IT notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh I-T notice of Rs 1,800 crore

Ajay Maken addresses a press conference

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

The proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime ac...


Cities

View All