TMC Leader Challenges CRPF’s Refusal to Disclose Pellet Gun Data from Delhi Protests

In a significant development, Saket Gokhale, spokesperson for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), revealed on Monday that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has refused to disclose information regarding its use of pellet guns during youth protests that occurred in Delhi on July 20. Gokhale’s request, made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, sought crucial details about the ammunition log and operational conduct of the CRPF’s Rapid Action Force (RAF) during the protests.

The CRPF, which includes the RAF, is one of the various security agencies exempt from compliance with the RTI Act under Section 24. This exemption, however, does not encompass information related to allegations of corruption or violations of human rights. Gokhale argued that his request concerning the deployment of pellet guns falls under this category, particularly as it pertains to alleged human rights abuses.

In his RTI application, Gokhale requested a certified copy of the ammunition log along with the deployment muster of the RAF units that were active in central Delhi on the day of the protests. He specifically sought information indicating the types and quantities of munitions used, including pellet cartridges, plastic-pellet cartridges, and tear gas shells. By highlighting these details, Gokhale aimed to shed light on the extent of force applied during the protests, which has raised significant concerns among civil rights advocates.

In response to Gokhale’s request, the CRPF stated that the allegations presented in his application do not fulfill the criteria for exemption related to human rights violations. The force’s official communication suggested that the information requested could not be disclosed based on existing regulations. This response has been made public by Gokhale through his social media channels, drawing attention to the ongoing debate about transparency and accountability in law enforcement’s handling of public protests.

The protests on July 20 saw a considerable turnout of youth expressing their dissent on various pressing issues, making the incident a focal point for discussions surrounding the use of force by state authorities. As the discourse continues, Gokhale’s efforts to access the information could potentially serve as a catalyst for broader inquiries into the operational protocols of the CRPF and its engagement with civilian protests.

Source: scroll.in