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At least a dozen Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were issued pellet guns on the morning of July 20 to deal with student protesters in Delhi, but the controversial weapons were withdrawn from deployment from July 23 after allegations that they had been used against demonstrators, officials aware of an internal inquiry said on Monday.

Five people have alleged that they were struck by pellets during the July 20 protests. They include Sheikh Irshad Mansuri, a 25-year-old private-sector employee; Nootan Toppo, a 32-year-old woman from Gurugram; a 28-year-old reporter; Prashant Singh, a 25-year-old from Bihar; and 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, a student aspiring to join the police force. In Lochab’s case, the allegation was made by his family.

The RAF is a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed to manage riots and other forms of public disorder across India. The reported use of pellet guns against student protesters has triggered controversy, with Opposition parties, students and police experts questioning whether the weapons were appropriate in the circumstances.

RAF Inquiry Examines Who Fired Pellet Guns

The internal inquiry has reportedly quoted a CRPF inspector who was leading an RAF team near the Outer Circle of Connaught Place, close to Palika Bazar, on July 20, as saying that he did not order personnel to fire pellet guns, officials cited by Hindustan Times said.

Officials said investigators were examining the possibility that more than one officer fired the weapons during the afternoon. Personnel deployed as part of the RAF inspector’s team have been identified, while a post-assessment report to be submitted to headquarters is expected to specify which officer was issued the pump-action guns and how many cartridges containing pellets were provided.

The inquiry is also looking at alleged deviations from prescribed procedures, including claims that some personnel did not fire below the waist. One official said pellet guns were not issued on July 23, 24 or 25 after the controversy emerged and would not be used during future student protests unless protesters were armed.

What Happened During July 20 Delhi Protest?

The RAF team under scrutiny was deployed between 1 pm and 5 pm on July 20 near the Grand Charkha installation above Palika Bazar, along the road connecting Connaught Place with Jantar Mantar.

According to officials familiar with the internal inquiry, personnel told investigators that pellet guns were fired after a Delhi Police team came under stone attack and members of the crowd allegedly began throwing stones at police and RAF personnel.

A second officer said the RAF team also told senior officials that it had to escalate its response because Parliament was in session and protesters were attempting to move towards the Parliament complex.

The account forms part of the internal inquiry and has not yet been formally confirmed by the CRPF. The headquarters is still awaiting the report from RAF Inspector General Seema Dhundia, officials said.

Pellet Guns Listed As Crowd-Control Deterrent

Pellet guns are categorised as a non-lethal crowd-control deterrent alongside measures such as tear gas, rubber bullets and smoke grenades. Their use is covered under the RAF’s crowd-control manual, according to officials.

However, their reported deployment against student protesters on July 20 has sparked a wider debate over the proportionality of their use during demonstrations. The controversy has also reached Parliament, while Opposition parties, students and police experts have criticised the decision to deploy the weapons in such circumstances.

The internal inquiry is expected to establish who authorised the use of the pellet guns, which personnel fired them and whether standard procedures were followed. Until the report is submitted to CRPF headquarters, key questions surrounding the July 20 deployment remain unresolved.