Police forces ordered to ditch pellet guns and electric shock batons by disability rights groups

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The use of pellet guns and electric shock batons by police forces is a matter of controversy in India.
• 02Disability rights groups have demanded a ban on the use of pellet guns and electric shock batons against protesters.
• 03An independent judicial inquiry has been sought into the alleged use of such weapons against protesters on July 20, 2023.
• 04The Supreme Court judgments have held that the use of force by police is legal and legitimate only if it is proportionate to the situation.
• 05Pellet guns are a type of weapon used by police forces in India, which can cause serious injuries to protesters.
• 06Electric shock batons are also used by police forces in India, which can cause pain and injury to protesters.

Trap alerts

• Most people think that the use of pellet guns is banned in all Indian states, but actually it's only banned in some states like Delhi.
• Most people think that the Supreme Court has explicitly prohibited the use of electric shock batons, but actually it's a matter of interpretation.