17 J&K protesters died due to pellet gun injuries: Govt
What's the story
As many as 17 protesters died due to pellet gun injuries in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016-17, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed Rajya Sabha. He said two security personnel were killed by protesters in 2016. 13 protesters were killed in 2016 when security forces used pellet guns to thwart the agitators while four others were killed in 2017.
Alternative
Non-lethal weapons, an alternative to pellet guns: Minister
The Minister, in a written reply, also said the government has constituted an expert committee on 26 July 2016 to explore other possible alternatives to pellet guns as non-lethal weapons. "Accordingly, various measures such as using PAVA-Chilli (Shells and Grenades), STUN-LAC (Shells and Grenades), and Tear Smoke Shells are used to disperse the unlawful violent protesters before the use of pellet guns," he said.