The Central Reserve Police Force is investigating after Rapid Action Force personnel allegedly fired pellets at student protesters on July 20. The incident occurred during a demonstration demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister over alleged NEET exam irregularities. The internal probe will assess whether the force used adhered to established protocols.
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The Central Reserve Police Force has launched an internal inquiry into the actions of its Rapid Action Force unit during a student protest held on July 20. The protest, which took place in Delhi, involved demonstrators marching toward Parliament to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The marchers were expressing frustration regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.
During the event, three individuals—a student, a worker, and a journalist—suffered injuries from pellets. According to reports, student Sahil Lochab sustained significant damage to his right eye, with medical professionals indicating severe vision loss. The incident has drawn attention to the crowd control methods used by security forces in urban areas.
CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh confirmed that a professional assessment of the event is underway. He stated that the force conducts reviews after major assignments to evaluate the sequence of events and verify if the use of equipment, including pellet guns, aligned with official protocols. While preliminary information is being reviewed, the force has indicated that a comprehensive report will be finalized following the internal investigation.
The use of pellet guns for crowd control has historically been a subject of debate in India, with discussions surfacing regarding the balance between maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of individuals. This specific incident has led to political discourse, with opposition members in the Rajya Sabha calling for statements from the Union Home Ministry regarding the authorization and oversight of the force used during the protest.
Investors and the public are now watching for the outcome of this internal review. The next updates will likely involve findings from the CRPF headquarters regarding whether any personnel deviated from standing orders and how the government plans to address the concerns raised by the opposition regarding the management of such demonstrations.