LESS LETHAL PLASTIC BULLETS TO BE USED IN J&K: CENTRE

NEWDELHI: Less lethal plastic bullets will be used to tackle law and order situations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Union minister of state for home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir also said the government has no plans for enhanced use of bunkers to protect security forces from stone throwers after the annual shift of the capital from Jammu to Srinagar in the next few days.

“The government has decided to introduce less lethal plastic bullets also to be used in tackling law and order situations in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in reply to a written question.

The minister said the government has appointed Dineshwar Sharma, former director of the Intelligence Bureau, as its representative to initiate and carry forward dialogue with the elected representatives, organisations and individuals concerned in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The response from the people of Jammu and Kashmir has been very positive,” he said.

‘NO PLANS TO AMEND OR WITHDRAW AFSPA’

The minister also said that the government has no plans to withdraw or amend “the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990”, which gives the security forces immunity and special rights in carrying out operations in disturbed areas.

Ahir, however, said that a proposal is under consideration to make the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 more operationally effective and humane. PTI