The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Only rubber bullets to quell ryots’ agitations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 13, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Only rubber bullets to quell ryots’ agitations

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: After the death of a farmer (Siddalingappa Choori) in the police firing in Haveri district on Tuesday, the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to direct the police to use rubber bullets instead of lead bullets to quell farmers’ agitations in the future.

The police opened fire when a farmers’ protest seeking supply of chemical fertilizers had turned violent.

Briefing presspersons, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shobha Karandlaje and Home Minister V.S. Acharya said the use of rubber bullets would be confined to subduing farmers’ agitations and not other agitations or movements.

There seems to be confusion among the senior police officers on the Government’s decision that the police should use only use rubber bullets to quell farmers’ agitations. When The Hindu spoke to senior IPS officers, they were divided in their views about the Government’s decision.

According to a senior officer, the order that only rubber bullets should be used is not in accordance with the law. During violence, the officer at the spot should decide the nature and quantum of the force that should be used to quell a mob. According to the Karnataka Police Manual, rubber bullets should be used as an intermediary between police lathicharge and their opening fire.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka