A General Diary (GD) entry lodged at the Parliament Street Police Station has provided official confirmation that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) deployed a pellet gun against protestors at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. The action was reportedly carried out on the explicit instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank official.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the entry, registered at 1:24 am on July 20, details the use of various crowd-control measures. The document states, “On instructions of the DCP, to control the crowd at the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, RAF fired 55 rounds of non-electrical shells, 15 rounds of electrical shells, five tear gas grenades, and two rounds using ballistic cartridges with plastic pellets from an anti-riot gun.” This marks the first instance where a police record has explicitly acknowledged the use of a pellet gun against protestors in Delhi.
The General Diary serves as a crucial administrative record for police stations, documenting significant events, officer movements, incidents, and operational orders. Unlike a First Information Report (FIR), which is typically filed for criminal offenses, a GD entry records the day-to-day activities and decisions of the police force. Its inclusion of the DCP’s order underscores the authorization behind the actions taken by the RAF.
Earlier reports had indicated that the use of pellet guns by the RAF had been suspended pending further directives. Highly placed sources suggested that this internal review of the force’s operations occurred following the handling of protests related to the NEET paper leak. These demonstrations were led by the satirical platform Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar.
The use of pellet guns is a contentious issue, with experts pointing out that such weaponry is prohibited under various international conventions and agreements. Despite these international norms, allegations of their use surfaced during student protests in Delhi. The RAF, a specialized unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), is typically deployed to maintain law and order, and was present at Jantar Mantar during the demonstrations against the alleged NEET paper leak.
The CJP, a platform known for its satirical approach to social and political issues, had organised the protest at Jantar Mantar. The protest was aimed at highlighting alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination, a critical gateway for medical admissions in India. The presence of a senior police official and the subsequent use of crowd-control munitions, including plastic pellets, raise questions about the proportionality of the response to the demonstration.
The specifics of the GD entry provide a factual account of the sequence of events and the orders issued. The document enumerates the precise number of non-electrical and electrical shells fired, the tear gas grenades deployed, and crucially, the rounds fired from an anti-riot gun containing plastic pellets. This detailed record serves as official evidence of the actions taken by law enforcement during the protest.
The CJP has been vocal about its concerns regarding educational examination integrity and has used its platform to draw public attention to perceived flaws. The protest at Jantar Mantar was part of a broader movement advocating for transparency and fairness in examination processes. The police’s response, as documented in the GD entry, indicates a significant escalation in crowd management tactics.
The use of pellet guns, even those firing plastic projectiles, carries inherent risks of causing serious injury. International guidelines often restrict their use due to the potential for indiscriminate firing and the severe harm they can inflict, particularly to eyes. The confirmation of their deployment in Delhi during a protest adds a new dimension to discussions surrounding policing tactics in the capital.
Further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the DCP’s order and the RAF’s adherence to protocols regarding the use of force are likely to follow. The General Diary entry now stands as a key piece of documentary evidence in understanding the events that transpired at Jantar Mantar on the night of July 19-20.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
