New Delhi, July 25: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has begun verifying reports alleging that personnel of its Rapid Action Force (RAF) used pellet guns during the July 20 protest march to Parliament in New Delhi, an official said.
The verification follows media reports claiming that two protesters sustained pellet injuries during clashes that erupted amid demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination.
According to officials, the RAF, a specialised anti-riot unit of the CRPF, was deployed alongside Delhi Police at key locations in central Delhi to maintain law and order during the protest.
Pellet guns and shock batons are part of the standard crowd-control equipment available to the force. One of the injured protesters, a 19-year-old man, is reportedly undergoing treatment for a serious eye injury that his family claims was caused by a pellet.
Another injured protester is also receiving medical care at a government hospital. Delhi Police have denied using pellet guns during the operation. The CRPF, however, said it is examining the reports before reaching any conclusion.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not issued an official statement on the allegations.Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Centre and Delhi Police on petitions alleging excessive use of force against protesters during the July 20 demonstrations.
The petitions seek an independent examination of the police action and the circumstances that led to injuries among protesters.
The protest, organised on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, witnessed clashes after demonstrators attempted to march towards the Parliament complex despite security restrictions. Police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd following confrontations at multiple locations.
The alleged use of pellet guns has drawn attention because of previous controversies surrounding their deployment in crowd-control situations in different parts of the country.
Authorities have maintained that the ongoing verification and judicial proceedings will help establish the facts surrounding the incident.
The investigation into the violence and the allegations of excessive force is continuing.
