New Delhi: Union Home Ministry on Monday refused to impose a blanket ban on the use of Pellet guns in Jammu & Kashmir and clarified that pellets would be used only in rare cases.
This come after severe outrage over the issue following media reports of fatal injuries to several kashmiris in the past 50 days of violent protests following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen Burahn Waani on july 8.
Like 15 year old Insha Malik who was blinded by pellet guns. She along with thousand others had hoped that the pellet guns would be banned by the government but News18 has learnt that Union government is not in favour of blanket ban on the pellet guns.
Home minister Rajnath Singh after a recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir had said government is looking for alternatives to pellet guns.
Meanwhile, a committee that was set up to find an alternative submitted its report on Monday evening. Sources within the committee had indicated that Chilli powder based PAVA shells are an alternative that the committee is likely to suggest.
However, the alternative being suggested by the committee may not lead to phasing out of pellet guns.
An officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs questioned, "in 2010 when pellet guns were first introduced, did it lead to a blanket ban on bullets? The security forces will have the option to use pellet guns in rarest of rare cases."
The decision came even as four pellet gun victims were treated at Delhi's Safadrjung hospital and AIIMS for pellet injuries.
Sources said government was bearing the entire cost of the treatment of these four including 15 year old Insha Malik.
Home minister Rajnath Singh at his recent visit to the valley had offered airlifting of all pellet gun victims to Delhi, said officers who were present in the meeting between Rajnath Singh and Mehbooba Mufti.
Over 3000 people were injured by pellets in the last few days but data currently available with union government says only 100 of them are still being treated for the injuries in Kashmir hospital.
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