RAF engaged in investigation into Delhi NEET protest controversy, allegations of pellet gun and use of force on students

New Delhi: The protest by students in the country’s capital Delhi regarding the NEET exam paper leak issue has now taken the form of a major political and administrative controversy. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has started a preliminary verification inquiry following serious allegations of excessive use of force, lathi charge and alleged firing of pellet guns on protesting students during the protests in Delhi. Officials confirmed this on Friday.

CRPF gave instructions for investigation

According to officials, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has instructed the Inspector General (IG) of its special anti-riot force RAF to investigate the entire sequence of events that took place in Delhi. In this, along with the steps taken to control the protesters, the incidents in which policemen were attacked will also be investigated. Top CRPF officials have clarified that a formal ‘Court of Inquiry’ (CoI) has not been ordered yet. Further punitive or administrative proceedings will be initiated only after the facts are established in the preliminary investigation.

Controversy started from ‘Chalo Sansad’ march

The controversy started with the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march organized under the banner of ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) on July 20. The students marching towards Parliament from Jantar Mantar were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the demonstration, many videos and pictures went viral on social media, in which RAF soldiers in blue uniform were seen lathi-charging, wielding sticks and handling weapons.

what the force officers said

Force officials said that video footage, in which protesters were seen surrounding RAF soldiers and assaulting them, was also being thoroughly reviewed. Additionally, a video related to an officer kicking a protester and using a shock-emitting device is also under investigation.

SOP and rules of pellet gun

Senior CRPF officials admitted that the RAF’s anti-riot equipment included 12-bore pump-action pellet guns. However, under Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) it can be used only in extremely serious circumstances. When there is direct threat to the lives of soldiers. According to SOP, use of deflector in pellet guns is mandatory so that the pellets hit below the waist and injuries are limited.

Students admitted to hospital

Currently, at least two students are reported to be hospitalized due to pellet injuries following the July 20 protest. Delhi Police has denied having pellet guns with it, while the CRPF or RAF have not officially acknowledged that their troops had opened fire.

violation of social media guidelines

In view of the growing controversy, CRPF has given strict instructions to the commanders of RAF and other deployed units not to talk to the media. Along with this, the posts made by RAF Assistant Commandant Sonia Sehrawat on Instagram are also being reviewed to find out whether they violated the CRPF’s social media policy 2023, which prohibits commenting on controversial topics.

Rahul Gandhi presented the injured student in front of the media

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the central government by bringing an injured protesting student in front of the media. Rahul Gandhi claimed that this student, who was protesting peacefully carrying the tricolor, was targeted with a pellet gun, due to which he lost the vision in one eye.

Youngster’s eye seriously damaged

Rahul Gandhi said, the government is claiming that pellet gun was not used, but the eye of this youth has been seriously damaged. Thousands of youth were lathicharged and pellet guns were fired. He said that this student had earlier appeared in the police recruitment examination, but his paper was leaked, and now he has to endure such harassment for seeking justice.