J&K HC asks Centre, state govt to respond on use of pellet guns for crowd control

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Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the state government and the Centre asking them to file a response to a petition seeking direction to ban the use of pellet guns for crowd control in the Valley.

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magray, said the notices had to be responded to by August 17.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Kashmir High Court Bar Association (KHCBA) which sought direction to put an end to use of pellet guns during law and order situations. The PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, DG J&K police, DG CRPF and the Central government have been made parties to the case.

In its petition, the Bar Association prayed that the use of pellet guns be totally banned as a means of crowd control.

The lawyers' body said the officers, who took the decision of using the pellet guns after July 8, be prosecuted and punished.

Those who have suffered injuries due to the use of pellet guns, besides being paid the compensation, be also treated by competent and well trained doctors within or outside the state at state government's expense, the Bar Association said.

The High Court had yesterday rapped the Centre overuse of pellet guns by paramilitary forces and asked it to explain why the injuries suffered by people were above the knees -- mostly in eyes -- despite claims of having trained law enforcement personnel.