CRPF refuses to reply to RTI application on use of pellet guns in Kashmir

Ninety-two civilians have been killed and over 12,000 injured in Jammu and Kashmir since July 9

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In the wake of the death of over 90 persons and injuries to over 12,000 from the use of pellet guns during the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, the  Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has refused to give, in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, details of the number of such weapons and ammunition used.

The unrest in Jammu and Kashmir was triggered on July 9 by the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, a day earlier in a gunfight with the security forces.

In reply to the RTI application, the Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the CRPF said: "Security forces, including CRPF, are exempted to provide information, except for information related to the allegation of corruption/violation of human rights."

"In the instant matter, there appears to be no violations of human rights as well as facts of the case do not attract the allegations of corruption," it said.

The reply was given to Venkatesh Nayak of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) in December last year.

The RTI activist sought from the CRPF a clear photocopy of Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) required to be used by the CRPF to disperse stone-pelting mobs in Jammu and Kashmir and a clear photocopy of SoPs required to be used by the CRPF to disperse large assemblages of people other than stone-pelting mobs in the state.

The query also sought the name and postal address of vendor(s) from whom anti-riot weapon, popularly known as 'pellet guns', and relevant ammunition were procured for use in the state, "and quantum of pellet ammunition actually used in Jammu and Kashmir from 1 July, 2016, till date".

The RTI query demanded details of "rank-wise number of CRPF personnel who suffered injuries while conducting operations in aid of civilian authority in Jammu and Kashmir from July 1, 2016, till date (names are not required); rank-wise the number of CRPF personnel injured during operations in aid of civilian authority in Jammu and Kashmir who have been paid ex gratia or compensation since July 1, 2016, till date, along with the amount of monies paid."

"The rank-wise number of CRPF personnel promoted to higher ranks in recognition of their performance while acting in aid of civilian authority in J&K since July 2016 and erstwhile rank and rank to which each CRPF official or officer was promoted subsequently (names are not required)" were also demanded.

Ninety-two civilians have been killed and over 12,000 injured in violence since July 9. Of the injured, around 100 face partial or complete blindness for the rest of their lives.