Delhi violence: What does shoot at sight mean?

After at least 13 people were killed and over 130 injured in the past two days, the Delhi police announced ‘shoot at sight’ in the Northeast Delhi.

The orders were reportedly issued after reports of fresh violence in Shiv Vihar, Bhajanpura and Yamuna Vihar on Tuesday (February 25).

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But what is shoot at sight? Does it mean, like often portrayed in movies, that the police can shoot anyone who comes into their sight?

Satish Kumar Dogra, former Director-General of Police, Tamil Nadu, says it is not so. “Shoot-at-sight instructions are not formal orders, but announcements made by Police Commissioners in case of a Commissionerate and Collectors or District Magistrates elsewhere,” he says.

Dogra says, during riots, these announcements are made for creating fear amongst the rioters to prevent tensions from escalating. “Shoot-at-sight announcements are do not fall under the purview of the legislation.”

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However, IPC Section 100 (When the right of private defence of the body extends to causing death), CrPC Sections 129 (Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force) and 130 (Use of armed forces to disperse assembly) grant power to the police if there is a threat to their lives or to public safety, says Dogra.

But how is shoot at sight executed? Dogra says it is done if the police find any person indulging in violence during a riotous situation.

However, with 13 deaths in just two days, it is to be seen if the announcement would control the violence or increase the toll.r at least 13 people have been killed and over 130 injured in last two days, the Delhi police announced ‘shoot at sight’ in the Northeast Delhi.