RAF identifies personnel linked to alleged pellet gun firing in Delhi protest: Report

In a major development in the ongoing probe by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) over alleged use of pellet guns against agitators during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protest in New Delhi, the RAF has reportedly identified its personnel who have fired pellet guns at the protesters.

According to a NDTV report, quoting sources the probe team will also unravel the circumstances leading to the firing of pellet guns and the location where they were fired. The report further stated that future course of action would be decided on the basis of the outcome of the probe.

RAF identifies personnel

Earlier, a government hospital, reportedly confirmed pellet wounds on one of the victims following which Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded to know whether the Centre has approved the use of pellet guns on student protesters.

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The allegation of police using excessive force on agitators surfaced during the July 20 protest march to Parliament demanding the resignation of the then Education Minister Dharmandra Pradhan.

Police denies use

However, the Delhi Police later denied using pellet guns with officials stating "Delhi Police neither possess pellet guns nor do they use them in the ongoing protest.”

The report further stated that a 28-year-old protester alleged that he has suffered 30 pellet wounds on his body adding that according to his hospital record he had "darkened skin around wounds, pellet shards stuck to skin and tenderness on impact sites."

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"I saw a policeman pointing his pellet gun at me. I ran and the pellets got stuck in my back and hand. If I had not been aware, it would have hit me in the front," he told NDTV clarifying he was not sure whether the person was from police or the RAF.

Victims recount injuries

Rahul has also posted a video along with another alleged pellet gun victim Sahil Lohchab stating that it shows evidence of excess inflicted on students. Rahul has also written to the Union Home Minister asking whether he authorized the use of "lethal force."

Pellets are made of metal or rubber and fired at 1,000 feet per second. These can cause tissue damage and come with instruction of always be fired below the waist.

According to India Today, at least four instances of pellet gun injuries among protesters at the Delhi's Jantar Mantar have been reported thus far.