Consider alternative to pellet guns in Jammu and Kashmir, SC tells Centre; allots two-week time

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday allotted a two-week time to Centre to consider effective alternatives to use of pellet guns and devise ways to quell agitating mobs in Jammu and Kashmir as it concerns life and death.

The division bench of the apex court was hearing the plea filed by Kashmir High Court Bar Association seeking direction in the use of pellet guns today. 

KHBA had earlier filed a petition in the top court alleging that the pellet guns are being 'misused'. The case was filed in the wake of the several lives lost during last year unrest in the Kashmir Valley.

In December last year, the court had admitted the petition for hearing and directed the central government to submit the report of the team of experts constituted on the use of pellet guns before the court.

Earlier in July 2016, the Centre constituted a team to recommend suitable replacement for the pellet guns.

The same year in August, a seven-member expert committee set up for exploring other possible alternatives to pellet guns as non-lethal weapons had submitted its report to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi. 

The debate surrounding use of pellet guns grew in the wake of protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. Several people, including youngsters and children, were injured by pellets used by security forces. Some also lost their eyesight.