RAF fired pellets at July 20 protests, notes Delhi police diary

The Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired two rounds of plastic pellets under the directions of a Delhi Police officer during the July 20 march to the Parliament called the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), according to an official General Diary (GD) entry and police officials.

According to the GD entry accessed by The Pioneer, which was recorded at the Parliament Street police station at 1.24 pm on July 22, the force deployed in Zone-1 of the Jantar Mantar area alongside a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), used 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, five tear smoke grenades, two rounds from anti-riot guns and two rounds of plastic pellets, on the officer’s orders.

A high-level meeting was held at the Delhi Police headquarters on Tuesday to discuss the GD entry made at Parliament Street police station regarding the use of non-lethal munitions, including plastic pellets, by the RAF during the July 20 protest, police sources said.

The meeting, attended by senior Delhi Police officers, focused on the circumstances surrounding the GD entry recorded on July 22 and the mention of a senior Delhi Police officer’s presence in Zone-1 near Jantar Mantar when the force was allegedly used.

Officials said each round of plastic pellets contains four plastic projectiles, which are designed to be less injurious than metal pellets and do not penetrate the body. It was not immediately known whether plastic pellets were fired at any other locations during the protest.

While the Delhi Police has publicly denied these claims, neither the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) nor the RAF has issued a detailed response specifically on the reported use of plastic pellets.

The issue assumed political significance after reports emerged of protesters suffering serious pellet injuries during the clashes. Media reports cite at least four recorded cases, including a reporter from <Outlook></i> magazine, who was hit by a pellet gun.

CRPF Director General GP Singh said the force will conduct a professional post-event assessment now that the agitation has ended. Addressing personnel on the CRPF’s 88th Raising Day, he also assured officers and jawans that he would take “complete responsibility” for decisions taken in the bona fide discharge of duty.