Use plastic bullets for crowd control: MHA

Broadband and 2G working, govt discusses option of internet ban

3G AND 4G SERVICES SNAPPED IN KASHMIR

THE CENTRE has instructed security forces to use non-penetrative plastic bullets to reduce collateral damage during crowd control, and even during counter-insurgency operations. Pellet guns will continue to be used as the last resort for crowd control. The instructions came after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.

While 3G and 4G services were snapped in the Valley on Monday, the government also discussed the option of blocking internet in Kashmir to stop circulation of videos and social media messages asking locals to converge at encounter sites.

Officials who attended the meeting ruled out any immediate move to stop internet services, arguing that such videos could be uploaded from any location.

The issues of deployment of more forces ahead of the May 25 bypolls in Anantnag, the prevailing situation in the Valley, and a decline in tourism were also discussed in the meeting.

3G and 4G services were snapped by the state government after a series of video clips surfaced on social media sites, some of them showing security forces purportedly assaulting civilians and others showing youths heckling security personnel.

General manager of BSNL, D K Agarwal, said, “The services were closed in the afternoon when we received a communication from the government.’’

A private sector telecom officialconfirmedthatonmondayafternoon,3gand4gfacilitieswere withdrawn from all networks afterthey“receivedcommunication to snap 4G and 3G services”.

Broadband and 2G services are still working.

Meanwhile, thousands of plastic bullets have been producedandsenttokashmirforuse by law enforcement agencies, sourcessaid.theplasticbulletsare non-penetrative and can be fired from INSAS rifles.

So far, security forces were using PAVA shells and pellet guns, the last option in the nonlethal category, before the use of assault rifles to control mobs. PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide) is a chilli-based ammunition that immobilises the target temporarily. Other less lethal weapons include dye marker grenade, which causes sensory impairment to the target. It also leaves a dye mark on the target.

A new addition to the arsenal of non-lethal weapons is a grenadepackedwithscientifically preparedspicyjelly,whichcauses irritation in the eyes. WITH INPUTS FROM SRINAGAR

PTI Mehbooba Mufti with Governor N N Vohra in Jammu on Monday.