Pellet Guns:
Prelims:
Polity
Mains:
GS Paper II- polity and
Governance
Current relevance:
The Supreme Court observed that
the use of pellet guns forms part of a graded police response in
exceptional circumstances, while hearing a petition seeking a ban on their use
against civilian assemblies.
At a glance:
Graded Police Response:
The Supreme
Court observed that police rules permit the use of pellet guns as
part of a graded crowd-control response in exceptional circumstances,
though it did not define what constitutes such circumstances.
Petition Before the Court:
1.
The petition
sought a ban on the use of kinetic metallic pellet guns by law
enforcement agencies against civilian assemblies.
2. It argued that projectile-activated guns (PAGs)
fail the constitutional tests of necessity, proportionality and
reasonableness.
Peaceful Protests and Public Order
3.
The Court
agreed that the State should not respond to students' protests with
brutality.
4. At the same time, it noted that bona fide
protests may be hijacked by unscrupulous elements, requiring the police to
remain prepared with a graded response, including the use of force where
necessary.
About
pellet guns:
1.
Pellet guns
are less-lethal crowd-control weapons that fire multiple small pellets
using compressed gas or a propellant and are primarily used by law
enforcement agencies for crowd dispersal and riot control.
2. They are intended to be used as part of a graded
crowd-control response before resorting to more lethal force.
3. After being fired, the pellets disperse over a wide
area, making them effective for crowd control but increasing the risk of serious
injuries, especially to the eyes, face and upper body.
4. Their use
remains controversial due to concerns over proportionality, human
rights and the potential for permanent injuries.
Source: THE
HINDU - https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu-international-9bn2/20260731/281535117787450?srsltid=AfmBOooEge1U6j8okZjc5A2Hc56NP4ENSdJ9dzWgI3xN4eXcRtd_-Ytx