Seven-member expert team to explore alternatives to pellet guns

Widespread criticism to pellets guns, has reportedly compelled the Centre to form a seven-member team to explore alternatives to pellet guns. The team will be headed by Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry.

According to a News18 report, CRPF, BSF and Jammu and Kashmir police officers have been included in the committee and have been asked to submit their report within two months. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament on Thursday had announced the decision to form a committee that will look into finding alternatives to pellet guns.

Amidst growing unrest in Kashmir that erupted after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen's Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 in Anantnag district, security forces used pellet guns to maintain law and order in the valley. This decision of government was severely criticised by people.

An online campaign by Pakistan based group 'Never Forget Pakistan' named 'What if you knew the Victim? #IndiaCantSee' with morphed pictures of celebrities with pellet gun marks, went viral on social media. (See pictures here)

Earlier in the day, on the occasion of PDP's foundation day, CM Mehbooba Mufti talking about the use of pellet guns said, "I want to say that those who lost their life, who provoked them to enter the camps is another question, but our endeavour will be to not let the sacrifices go waste of those innocent children of 12, 14 or 16 years of age, who were hoodwinked into entering camps or police stations. They are used now but no one looks at them afterwards."