RAF troops deployed at Jantar Mantar during now-called off CJP protest
NEW DELHI: A senior Delhi Police officer has denied being present at the spot when a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel allegedly fired from a pellet gun at protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) Parliament march on July 20, officials said on Tuesday.A General Diary (GD) entry recorded by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) at Parliament Street police station mentions that the officer was present in Zone-1 near Jantar Mantar when the alleged incident took place, PTI reported.The officer, however, claimed that he was nearly half a kilometre away from the spot when the pellet rounds were reportedly fired.Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was held at the Delhi Police headquarters on Tuesday to discuss the GD entry related to the alleged use of non-lethal munitions, including plastic pellets, by the RAF, the specialised riot-control wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).Attended by senior Delhi Police officers, the meeting focused on the circumstances surrounding the GD entry recorded on July 22 at 1:24 pm.According to official police records, the GD entry was made ased on information provided by a Deputy Commandant-rank RAF officer. It states that RAF personnel deployed in Zone-1 alongside a Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank Delhi Police officer fired multiple non-lethal munitions after received rmission from the senior police officer. According to the entry, the RAF fired 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, five tear smoke grenades, two rounds from anti-riot guns and two rounds of plastic pellets while controlling the crowd.Officials said one round of plastic pellets contains four plastic projectiles, which differ from metal pellets and are designed to cause less serious injuries.The alleged use of plastic pellets has become a major political flashpoint after reports that some protesters sustained grievous pellet injuries during the violence. Multiple Delhi Police, RAF and CRPF personnel were also injured in the clashes.Delhi Police has maintained that allegations of the force using pellet guns against protesters are “false and misleading”, reiterating its position in a statement on its official X handle. According to the police, more than 65 protesters and over 200 police personnel were injured during the clashes.
