New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) inquiry commission probing the “illegal” use of pellet guns during the July 20 protest march at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar will release its report within two days, sources told Times Now.
Officials confirmed that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel who deployed pellet guns and electric shock weapons have been identified. The inquiry commission will examine the circumstances that led to the use of pellet guns and document all the locations where they were deployed, officials added.
According to reports, the RAF fired five rounds of pellet guns. Two to three protesters reportedly suffered pellet gun injuries. One of the injured protesters, Irshad, told Times Now that there were a lot of pellet gun injuries in his body.
“But if you check my, like, injuries, this is like all in clear that there are a lot of pellets in my body, in my face, neck, and shoulder. So, the doctors have taken out the pellet,” Irshad said.
Last week, Times Now also reported, citing sources, that an internal inquiry was launched into the pellet gun controversy surrounding CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. The inquiry was ordered amidst reports that pellet guns were used by security personnel during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest on Juky 20.
The sources had said that the specific pellet gun fitted with a deflector barrel was not approved for deployment during the Jantar Mantar protest. However, officials clarified that the weapon is not prohibited and remains part of the inventory issued to the RAF.
The inquiry reportedly focused on determining what circumstances, if any, led to the alleged use of the weapon during the protest that turned violent and left scores injured. Meanwhile, in a tweet on Thursday, Delhi Police denied using pellet guns during the operation. Calling the allegations and reports “misleading and fake”, the police asked social media users to refrain from sharing false information online.