CRPF Chief Pledges Support for Personnel Following Pellet Gun Incident at 'Chalo Sansad' Protest
In response to the ongoing allegations regarding the use of pellet guns during the 'Chalo Sansad' protest in New Delhi, CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh has voiced strong backing for security personnel. He assured them of his full support, emphasizing that they should perform their duties without fear, as he would be accountable for all legitimate operational decisions made during their duties.
During the CRPF's Investiture Ceremony, the Director General reiterated the leadership's dedication to supporting its personnel involved in operational and law enforcement activities.
"As the Director General of the CRPF, I want to assure each one of you that whether it is an operational battalion or a law-and-order unit, whatever decisions you take and whatever actions you carry out in the bona fide discharge of your duties, I take responsibility for all those decisions and actions," stated Gyanendra Pratap Singh.
He further motivated the personnel to continue executing their responsibilities with assurance, stating, "Continue to perform your duties fearlessly. Wherever responsibility or accountability needs to be taken, I will take it as the Director General."
These remarks emerge amidst increased public and political examination after violence erupted during the 'Chalo Sansad' march organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20, concerning the NEET-UG paper leak issue. The protest took place near Delhi's Jantar Mantar and turned violent following clashes between demonstrators and security forces at numerous locations.
The Delhi Police reported that the disturbances led to injuries for more than 65 protesters and over 200 police personnel. Allegations surfaced that security forces used plastic pellet rounds during the operations, sparking political controversy as reports indicated several protesters sustained significant injuries.
An internal CRPF investigation, as mentioned by various media outlets, discovered that a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel discharged seven rounds from a pump-action pellet gun during the operation, with five pellets reportedly hitting protesters. At least three injured individuals reportedly sought hospital treatment for pellet-related wounds.
Following this, a post-event assessment by the CRPF reportedly concluded that the deployment of pellet guns and other non-lethal crowd-control tactics was sanctioned by the Delhi Police and executed according to the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The review indicated that RAF personnel adhered to the "force gradient," resorting to pump-action pellet guns only after less intense crowd-control measures failed to disperse the violent crowd.
The Rapid Action Force, a specialized anti-riot unit of the CRPF, is trained to manage law-and-order situations using graduated force while minimizing casualties and ensuring public safety. The force operates under pre-established operational protocols that outline the sequence of non-lethal measures prior to escalating to higher levels of force as necessitated by circumstances.
The Director General's declaration is perceived as a gesture of institutional support intended to reassure personnel deployed in sensitive law-and-order roles. By publicly assuming accountability for legitimate operational decisions, the CRPF chief highlighted the significance of bold leadership and reiterated that personnel acting within legal frameworks and authorized procedures should confidently fulfill their duties.
The dispute concerning the use of pellet guns continues to provoke political debate, with opposition parties scrutinizing the crowd-control methods employed during the protest. Meanwhile, security agencies uphold that their actions during the operation adhered to authorized procedures, aimed at restoring public order amidst rising violence.
The incident has once again underscored the intricate challenges faced by security forces in balancing effective crowd management with the necessity to ensure public safety and comply with legal and operational guidelines. As discussions about the event persist, the CRPF leadership remains steadfast in its support for personnel conducting their duties professionally while being accountable to established procedures and the rule of law.
