Less lethal plastic bullets for crowd control in J&K: Centre

New Delhi, March 20

Noting that the security forces will use less lethal plastic bullets to tackle law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the government today insisted in the Lok Sabha that it had no plan 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.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, in a written reply in the House, said the government had no plan for enhanced use of bunkers to protect security forces from stone throwers after the annual shift of the capital from Jammu to Srinagar over the next few days.

“The government has decided to introduce less lethal plastic bullets to be used in tackling law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Ahir said the government had appointed Dineshwar Sharma, former Director of the Intelligence Bureau, as its representative to initiate and carry forward dialogue with elected representatives, organisations and individuals concerned in Jammu and Kashmir. “The response from the people of the state has been positive,” he added.

Meanwhile, responding to a separate question, he said there was no plan to withdraw or amend “the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990”. He, however, said a proposal was under consideration to make the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, more operationally effective and humane. There has been a long-standing demand from various quarters in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East to withdraw the Act. — TNS