PHOTO BY || JAHANGIR SHAH | KNO
The briefing presents the cases of 88 people whose eyesight was damaged by metal pellets fired from
pump-action shotguns used by the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) between 2014 and 2017.
“In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that change in Kashmir will not
come from guns or abuses - na goli, na gali. If the government truly means this, they must end the use
of pellet-firing shotguns, which have caused immense suffering in Kashmir,” said Aakar Patel,
Executive Director at Amnesty International India.
“Authorities claim the pellet shotgun is not lethal, but the injuries and deaths caused by this cruel
weapon bear testimony to how dangerous, inaccurate and indiscriminate it is. There is no proper way to
use pellet-firing shotguns. It is irresponsible of authorities to continue the use of these shotguns despite
being aware of the damage they do.”
People injured by pellet-firing shotguns have faced serious physical and mental health issues, including
symptoms of psychological trauma. School and university students who were hit in the eyes said that
they continue to have learning difficulties. Several victims who were the primary breadwinners for their
families fear they will not be able to work any longer. Many have not regained their eyesight despite
repeated surgeries.
“In some cases, those injured by pellet-firing shotguns still have the metal pellets lodged in their skulls,
near their eyes. Doctors have been afraid to remove the pellets, fearing that it will affect eyesight, but
they are not sure what the long-term effects will be,” said Zahoor Wani, Senior Campaigner at Amnesty
International India.
“Unfortunately the central government has turned down requests for information about pellet shotguns.
It is unclear if the shotguns have been properly tested, or their effects and risks assessed, or whether
there is even any protocol about how they must be used. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has
done little to support those injured and disabled by this weapon.”
Amnesty International India also obtained information through Right to Information applications which
suggests that the use of the inherently inaccurate pellet-firing shotguns by security forces has injured
other security force personnel. At least 16 personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police were
treated for pellet injuries in Kupwara in 2016. Amnesty International India wrote to the JKP and CRPF
for further information, but no responses were received.
“Authorities have a duty to maintain public order, but using pellet shotguns is not the solution,” said
Aakar Patel. “Security forces must address stone-throwing or other violence by protestors by means
that allow for better targeting or more control over the harm caused.”
Amnesty International India calls on the central government and government of Jammu and Kashmir to
immediately stop the use of pellet-firing shotguns and ensure that the use of all other weapons is in line
with international human rights standards on use of force. Authorities should also provide full reparation
in line with international standards to those injured by pellet-firing shotguns and to the families of those
killed.
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir should also initiate prompt, independent and impartial civilian
investigations into all incidents where the use of pellet-firing shotguns led to deaths or injuries to
establish whether arbitrary or excessive force was used, and where sufficient evidence is found,
prosecute those suspected of responsibility in civilian courts.
Additional information
Security forces have used metal pellet-firing shotguns against protesters in the Kashmir valley since at
least 2010. The shotguns fire a large number of small pellets spreading over a wide range. There is no
way to control the trajectory or direction of the pellets, whose effects are therefore indiscriminate. By
their very nature, the weapons have a high risk of causing serious and permanent injuries to the
persons targeted as well as to others. These risks are virtually impossible to control.
Pellet shotguns and the manner in which they have been used in Kashmir violate international
standards on the use of force, which state that law enforcement officials may use force “only when
strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty”. The UN Basic Principles
on the Use of Force and Firearms states that force should only be used when unavoidable, and law
enforcement officials should “exercise restraint” in using force and “minimize damage and injury”.