🎯 Core Theme & Purpose
This episode delves into an incident involving the Rapid Action Force (RAF) firing plastic bullets at protesters in Delhi on July 20th. It examines the official police diary entry detailing the use of force and the subsequent internal inquiry. The discussion is crucial for understanding the dynamics of crowd control, the use of less-lethal weapons, and accountability within security forces, particularly for activists, legal professionals, and those interested in civil liberties in India.
📋 Detailed Content Breakdown
• RAF’s Use of Plastic Bullets: On July 20th, during a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party and Narendra Modi’s government, the RAF resorted to firing plastic bullets and other non-lethal rounds. This action was taken on the orders of a Delhi DCP. • Police Diary Entry: A diary entry from the Parliament Street Police Station details the use of 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, 5 tear gas shells, two AK-47 cartridges for ARGs, and two plastic bullets. This entry records the materials used to control the crowd during the Cockroach Janata Party-led protest. • Deputy Commandant’s Involvement: The Deputy Commandant of the RAF unit was in charge during the incident. Sources indicate the unit used an IRG to fire the plastic bullets, marking it as a standalone instance of such a weapon being used. • Internal Inquiry and Restrictions: An internal inquiry confirmed that plastic bullets were fired and that the use of force, including deliberately knocking down protesters and assaulting those who had disengaged, was reported. Consequently, the RAF has prohibited the use of projectile attack guns, pellet guns, and other specific less-lethal weapons during deployment in the national capital. • Supreme Court’s Review: The Supreme Court is currently hearing a clutch of petitions concerning the use of excessive force and crackdowns by security forces on protesters in Delhi, making this incident particularly relevant. • RAF’s Stance on Force: RAF Inspector General, CM Mandviya, informed troops and officers that excessive use of force is unjustifiable and that any use of force should be done in a judicious manner.
💡 Key Insights & Memorable Moments
• The incident highlights a disturbing reliance on less-lethal weapons, even plastic bullets, in crowd control situations, raising questions about their actual impact and potential for harm. • An internal inquiry confirmed instances of “deliberately knocking down protesters” and “assaulting even those people who had disengaged,” indicating potential excessive force beyond mere crowd dispersal. • The RAF has explicitly prohibited the use of “projectile attack gun, pellet guns, electrical weapons and electrical shields” during deployments in the national capital, a significant step towards preventing future excesses. • The Supreme Court’s ongoing review of petitions regarding excessive force against protesters in Delhi underscores the broader national concern surrounding the methods employed by security forces.
🎯 Way Forward
- Mandatory De-escalation Training: Implement advanced de-escalation techniques training for all police and paramilitary forces deployed for crowd control, focusing on communication and non-violent methods before resorting to any force. This matters for minimizing casualties and promoting public trust.
- Independent Oversight Mechanism: Establish an independent civilian oversight body with the authority to investigate complaints of excessive force by security forces, ensuring transparency and accountability. This is crucial for preventing impunity and building confidence in law enforcement.
- Review and Update Less-Lethal Weapon Protocols: Conduct a comprehensive review of the protocols governing the use of all less-lethal weapons, ensuring they are applied only as a last resort and with strict adherence to international standards. This ensures that “less-lethal” does not become “lethal” in practice.
- Publicly Accessible Use-of-Force Data: Mandate the regular public reporting of data related to the use of force, including types of weapons deployed, number of rounds fired, and casualties, broken down by incident. This fosters transparency and allows for informed public debate and policy-making.
- Technology for Transparency: Explore the deployment of body-worn cameras and dashcams for all security personnel involved in crowd management, with clear guidelines for data retention and public access to footage in cases of alleged misconduct. This provides an objective record and aids in fair investigations.