PAVA shells despatched to Kashmir to be used in place of pellet guns

Srinagar: The debate on whether or not pellet guns will be used in the valley any more is over as Home Minister Rajnath Singh disclosed here on Monday that as many as 1000 PAVA shells had been dispatched to the region to be used to disperse the stone-pelting crowd.

Talking to media person here he explained that Pentagonic Acid Vanililyl Acid ( PAVA) shells are organic compound and which would be effective in meeting the situation in the region.

These shells do not cause any harm unlike the guns which have injured a number of people in the state. Eyes of some of them have been damaged partially.

He also disclosed that several suggestions had been made to replace these guns and that one of them was to switch over to these shells. “No body will suffer any physical harm by these shells,” he pointed out.

Also Read: What Hurriyat is doing, can’t be called as Kashmiriyat: Rajnath Singh

Backgrounder:

• The government was looking for an alternative to the pellet guns ever since the reports of damage to eyes of some of the trouble-makers in Kashmir. This chilli-filled shells do not affect the eyes nor does it cause any harm to any other part. However, these shells can temporarily incapacitate the people and render them immobile.
• These shells are also more effective than chilly-spray and tear-gas shells. An expert committee was set up by the Home ministry which has also found it more suitable.

  It may be recalled that the valley turned violent after the death of terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter in the first week of July. It has so far claimed 70 lives and injured as many as 400 others.

• Also that pellet guns are being used in the valley since 2010. As many as 100 persons were killed in different incidents in Kashmir that year. In recent use of the guns, five persons are reported to have lost their vision in one of the eyes.

You may also read: PAVA shells likely to replace pellet guns in fight against stone-pelters