A grenade packed with spicy jelly, which causes irritation in the eyes on exploding, is likely to be included in the weaponry of security forces in Kashmir for quelling violent protests but pellet guns will stay. Pellet guns will be used only after less lethal weapons fail to control the stone-pelting protesters and before firing is ordered as the last resort, official sources said.
Oloeoresin, a semi-solid extract in a solution, mixed with spicy gel, could be put in the grenade casings to tackle rioting mobs, they said.
The suggestion for using such grenades came up at a meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi which was called a day after the Supreme Court voiced concern over injuries caused by pellet guns to minors and asked the Centre and state to consider other effective means to quell the protests as it concerned “life and death.”
After hearing arguments, the SC had suggested the Government to consider other technology-based measures like microwave to disperse the protesters.