Pellet Guns, Electric Shock Batons Banned In Delhi Protests After RAF Flags 'Serious Lapses'
Exclusive: Pellet Guns, Electric Shock Batons Banned In Delhi Protests After RAF Flags 'Serious Lapses' Reported By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 10:48 IST The
Exclusive: Pellet Guns, Electric Shock Batons Banned In Delhi Protests After RAF Flags 'Serious Lapses' Reported By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 10:48 IST The directions were issued during a video conference chaired by Inspector General Seema Dhundia on July 22, where senior RAF officers reviewed the force's role during the protest Exclusive: Pellet Guns, Electric Shock Batons Banned In Delhi Deployment After RAF Flags 'Serious Lapses' In Jantar Mantar Protest The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has identified serious operational deficiencies in its handling of the July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and has issued an extensive set of corrective directions, including a ban on the use of Projectile Attack Guns (PAG), Anti-Riot Guns (ARG), Electric Shock Weapons and Electric Shields during the ongoing deployment in the national capital until further orders. The directions were issued during a video conference chaired by Inspector General Seema Dhundia on July 22, where senior RAF officers reviewed the force’s role during the protest, acknowledged shortcomings and laid down 26 corrective measures aimed at improving crowd-control operations, discipline and accountability, a senior level source said quoting a document. The RAF has also made the use of Body Worn Cameras mandatory during every operation, directed dedicated photography and videography of major incidents, strengthened intelligence monitoring.
The review also criticised videos allegedly showing personnel using force against individuals who had already moved away from the crowd, deliberately pushing people to the ground and striking persons outside barricades, sources said qouting the document. The meeting minutes reveal that while the CRPF Directorate had appreciated the RAF’s overall deployment at the sector level, the Inspector General, ad per sources said an internal review exposed serious deficiencies in several aspects of the operation that require immediate rectification. The meeting was attended by 30 officers of RAF. News18 sent a query to CRPF DG and PRO on whether proper instructions were followed or not and about use of pellet guns but no response has been received. Serious Dissatisfaction Over Crowd-Control Operation Inspector General Seema Dhundia expressed “serious dissatisfaction" with the RAF’s performance during the Jantar Mantar protest, observing that several operational shortcomings came to light during introspection. According to the proceedings, many personnel reached the field without adequate briefing about their duties, leading to confusion on the ground. Commandants were reminded that conducting detailed briefings before deployment and debriefings after every operation is their personal responsibility. Pellet Guns, Electric Shock Weapons Prohibited Among the most significant operational decisions, the Inspector General directed that, after assessing the prevailing situation in Delhi, the RAF would not use or issue Projectile Attack Guns (PAG), Anti-Riot Guns (ARG), Electric Shock Weapons or Electric Shields until further orders.
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