Rapid Action Force Bans Pellet Guns After Violent Jantar Mantar Crackdown

DNI SUMMARY — KEY POINTS

• The Rapid Action Force has officially prohibited the use of pellet guns and electric shock weapons following an internal review of the July 20 protest handling.
• At least 80 protesters were injured during the Cockroach Janta Party march, with medical reports confirming pellet injuries on several victims at local hospitals.
• Inspector General Seema Dhundia chaired a high-level review meeting that identified serious operational lapses and mandated 26 corrective measures for future crowd management.
• Although Delhi Police initially denied the use of such weapons, internal RAF investigations admitted to excessive force and ordered new accountability protocols like body cameras.
• The ban on these contentious crowd-control tools will remain in effect indefinitely while the force implements stricter training and monitoring standards for its personnel.

The Rapid Action Force has instituted an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns, electric shock weapons, and electric shields during its deployments in the national capital. This decisive policy shift follows intense public and medical scrutiny regarding the events of July 20, 2026, when a protest march organized by the Cockroach Janta Party turned into a scene of chaotic confrontation near Jantar Mantar. While authorities previously denied the use of such weaponry, mounting evidence from hospital records and video footage forced an internal reassessment of the force's operational tactics.

Operational Deficiencies Flagged by Command

Operational Deficiencies Flagged by Command

Internal reviews conducted by the force identified significant tactical failures during the demonstration, leading to the adoption of 26 rigorous corrective measures. Inspector General Seema Dhundia oversaw a video conference where senior officers analyzed the conduct of personnel on the ground, acknowledging that the deployment had deviated from acceptable standards of crowd management. This internal admission stands in contrast to the earlier official denials issued by local police, who had labeled claims of projectile weapon usage as misleading and entirely false.

Mandatory Accountability and Surveillance

The use of pellet-firing shotguns against civilian protesters marks an unprecedented escalation in Delhi, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups who view these weapons as inherently dangerous. Medical professionals at Lady Hardinge Medical College successfully treated victims for shrapnel wounds, providing the first tangible evidence that challenged the official narrative of the security operation. These weapons, previously utilized in volatile regions, are now categorized as unsuitable for the delicate crowd dynamics expected in the heart of the national capital.

Mandatory Accountability and Surveillance

Protest Dynamics and Institutional Response

To ensure such incidents are not repeated, the force has implemented a strict mandate requiring all deployed personnel to wear body cameras during active duty. This move is designed to create an objective, verifiable record of all interactions between security forces and the public, thereby curbing instances of excessive force. Commandants have been tasked with direct accountability for their respective units, ensuring that briefings and field actions remain strictly aligned with the newly established, transparent, and humane policing guidelines.

The controversy gained significant momentum after social media captured personnel deliberately pushing individuals and deploying shock batons against demonstrators who were already retreating from the barricades. These visuals, combined with the reports of victims undergoing surgery to remove metallic pellets, fueled public outrage and led to multiple petitions being filed before the Delhi High Court. The legal challenges emphasize the fundamental right to protest and seek judicial intervention into the conduct of the specialized riot units tasked with maintaining order.

Future Outlook for Crowd Control

Protest Dynamics and Institutional Response

The march, branded as Sansad Chalo, was the culmination of weeks of agitation against the National Testing Agency following allegations of corruption and exam paper leaks. As tensions rose, the decision to deploy specialized riot gear proved to be a critical turning point that widened the rift between student protesters and state authorities. The subsequent internal investigation by the Central Reserve Police Force signals a rare moment of institutional self-correction, as the leadership seeks to regain public trust after admitting to excessive use of force.

While the ban represents a significant victory for activists, questions remain regarding the long-term impact on police-civilian relations in the city. The prohibition of these weapons is intended to serve as a baseline for future engagements, focusing on de-escalation rather than aggressive suppression of dissent. The focus of the current leadership is now directed toward comprehensive training programs, emphasizing that force must be proportionate and used only as a last resort, avoiding the controversial tactics witnessed during the July 20 crackdown.

Future Outlook for Crowd Control

Looking ahead, the shift toward non-kinetic methods of crowd control is expected to influence how agencies prepare for large-scale public demonstrations throughout India. By prioritizing intelligence gathering and professional conduct, the authorities hope to avoid the reputational damage and legal complications that followed the recent events in Connaught Place. This policy reversal reflects a broader acknowledgement that modern policing must evolve to meet the high standards of accountability demanded by a vigilant and digitally-connected citizenry in a democratic society.