Delhi protests expose RAF pellet‑gun injuries and operational flaws

An internal review of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force, found that the force gradient used during the "Sansad Chalo" march on June 20 in Delhi did not meet standards. The review highlighted inadequate briefing of personnel, the presence of unprotected officers on site and the prohibition of certain crowd‑control weapons until further orders. Three protesters suffered pellet‑gun injuries during the demonstration, prompting medical scrutiny over the severity of such wounds and debate over the classification of pellet guns as less‑lethal weapons.

The Delhi Police has denied possession of pellet guns, while the CRPF has launched its own inquiry to determine whether its staff employed them. Health officials are dealing with numerous cases, weighing the risks of extracting metal fragments from victims, many of whom are young. The findings have raised broader concerns about crowd‑control practices and the safety of protestors in India.