New Delhi, Aug 24: Human rights organisation Amnesty International has raised concerns over the alleged use of excessive force by security personnel during protests in the national capital last month, saying its investigation found evidence of pellet ammunition, tear gas, batons and electric shock devices being used against demonstrators.
The protests on July 20 were organised amid widespread anger over alleged examination paper leaks and other irregularities. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in New Delhi and attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding government action and accountability.According to Amnesty, more than 100 students were injured during the police action.
The organisation said its investigators examined video footage, photographs, medical records and witness accounts as part of its assessment of the events.Amnesty’s Evidence Lab reportedly verified footage showing a Rapid Action Force personnel firing a shotgun towards a crowd of protesters.
The organisation also said medical evidence examined during its investigation was consistent with pellet-related injuries suffered by some demonstrators.The rights group alleged that pellet ammunition was used without adequate warning and argued that such rounds pose a significant risk of serious injury because multiple metal pellets can spread over a wide area.
The Delhi Police had previously rejected allegations that pellet guns were used against protesters, describing reports of such injuries as false and misleading.Amnesty also raised concerns over the manner in which tear gas was deployed. It said some tear-gas grenades appeared to have been fired directly towards protesters rather than being launched at an elevated angle, potentially increasing the risk of injury.
The organisation further alleged that protesters were beaten with lathis and that individuals in civilian clothing were seen assaulting demonstrators while uniformed personnel were present.Amnesty said some officers were allegedly not displaying identification details such as name tags or badge numbers, which it said raised additional concerns about accountability.
The organisation also criticised the use of barricades, transport restrictions and an alleged communications blackout during the demonstrations, arguing that these measures restricted protesters’ ability to organise and communicate.The protests later spread to other parts of the country. In Bihar’s Siwan district, police reportedly opened fire during demonstrations several days after the Delhi crackdown, leaving at least three young people injured.
The findings have added to political criticism of the government’s handling of the protests, with opposition leaders demanding accountability over allegations of police excesses.However, the authorities have maintained that security personnel acted appropriately while dealing with the demonstrations and have disputed allegations of disproportionate force.
Amnesty has called for greater scrutiny of the actions of security personnel, saying the use of force during public assemblies must comply with domestic policing rules as well as international human rights standards.
The allegations and Amnesty’s findings remain subject to further investigation and any legal responsibility would have to be established through the appropriate authorities or judicial process.
