CRPF Chief Urges Officers to Act Decisively Amid Pellet Gun Debate

In light of the ongoing debate regarding the use of pellet guns by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) during protests on July 20, the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), GP Singh, delivered a powerful message to his officers at a recent investiture ceremony. He emphasized the importance of performing their duties without fear, assuring them that he would take full responsibility for their actions while executing their responsibilities. Singh's commitment to accountability was clear as he stated, 'As the Director General of the CRPF, I want to assure each one of you that whether it is an operational battalion or a law-and-order unit, whatever decisions you take and whatever actions you carry out in the bona fide discharge of your duties, I take responsibility for all those decisions and actions. Continue to perform your duties fearlessly. Wherever responsibility or accountability needs to be taken, I will take it as the Director General.' This statement comes amid scrutiny over the police's crowd control methods during the protests, particularly concerning the use of pellet guns, a controversial topic in recent discussions.

The controversy intensified following the release of a General Diary (GD) entry from the Parliament Street police station, which indicated that senior officers from the Delhi Police had authorized the use of crowd-control munitions prior to the 'Chalo Sansad' march, organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The entry, logged at 1:24 AM, detailed the clearance of various munitions, including 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, five tear gas grenades, and two Anti-Riot Guns. Notably, it also mentioned that RAF personnel acted under the direction of a Deputy Commissioner, firing pellet guns during the protest. This revelation has raised questions about the police's previous statements denying the use of such weapons, as the GD entry contradicts their claims. The incident marks a significant moment, being the first documented instance of pellet guns being deployed against protesters in the national capital, further complicating the narrative surrounding police tactics in crowd control.