Srinagar: Consider other means than pellet guns for crowd control in Jammu and Kashmir is what the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Government of India.
A bench headed by Chief justice of India J.S. Khehar, justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul expressed concern over injuries suffered by minors involved in protests in the Kashmir Valley.
Jehangir Ganaie, the Advocate General of the state said that the Supreme Court read the expert committee report and asked the GoI to present its stand on the recommendations of the committee.
The expert committee has suggested use of laser and PAVA shells instead of pellets.
The Apex Court has also told the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to file a detailed reply on what can be an effective and alternate way other than pellet guns to control protesters in Kashmir.
The next hearing regarding the matter will be held on April 10.
Bar Association of Kashmir had filed a petition and the President of the Bar Miyan Qayoom and reputed lawyer Zaffar Ahmed Shah are arguing the case.
In December 2016, the then Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, justice D Y Chandrachud, justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul had expressed concern over injuries suffered by minors due to the use of pellet guns. The Apex Court had directed the GoI to submit a report of experts before the court.
GoI on 6th July 2016 constituted a committee of experts to find alternatives of pellet guns. Bar Association had sought a stay on GoI’s decision till the expert report is submitted.
With inputs from KNS
