Srinagar, Aug 10: A heat ray gun which causes burning sensation on the target so much so that it wants to remove clothes could sound like a science fiction. But this is what the Rapid Action Force (RAF) plans to use on the protesters in Kashmir.
 While the heat ray gun will be rolled out soon, another sophisticated device, which can produce sound beyond tolerance, has already reached the summer capital.
 Greater Kashmir learnt from reliable sources that acoustic device in mounted on some specialized cabs brought along by RAF, recently called to quell Kashmir unrest on the request of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
 The vehicle-mounted heat ray gun known as Active Denial System (ADS), on the other hand, is on the way.
 Source said to start with, the ADS would be rolled out in the volcanic Shahr-e-Khaas, with the state police and paramilitary forces holding deliberations to finalize the modalities.
 Highly placed source said the forces have started negotiations with a ADS making firm adding that the device was expected to reach Srinagar soon.

THE ADS
 The ADS is a Non-Lethal Weapon (NLW) that heats up the skin "intolerably" but, according to experts, causes no permanent damage.
 They say its invisible beam is designed to repel enemies and disperse violent crowds, causing anyone targeted to immediately move away.
 The device, which fires high frequency microwave energy, causes a skin-burning sensation among the receivers. As it can be fired from as far was 700 metres, the device is believed to be an attractive choice for riot control worldwide.
 Source said soon after the RAF, a specialized 10 Battalion wing of the CRPF, reached Srinagar past week, a joint meeting of the police and paramilitary forces was called.
 Sources privy to the meeting said the two groups were “convinced that the teargas doesn’t cause much of impact on the protesters and that alternative and sophisticated mob-control techniques be used.”
 “It seems the people here have gone immune to deterrents like teargas,” a police official said.
 Finally, it was resolved that the sophisticated equipment be used.
 “On this, the RAF officials disclosed that they are already equipped with many such gadgets like the intolerable sound device,” said an insider.
 Thereafter, the ADS was discussed threadbare. Sources said the police officials was so impressed with the ADS plan that some of the officials proposed that the state government immediately procure its own lot. 

INTOLERABLE SOUND
 The RAF companies presently camped in the City, as per sources, are already equipped with Long Range Acoustic Device. The device creates loud sounds beyond the human tolerance.
 “This is expected to prove handy in containing unruly mobs in Kashmir without causing much casualties,” said an official in the Home department requesting not to be named.

EXPERT VIEW
 The security experts are seeing ADS as a better alternative to the automatic rifles used for mob-control in Kashmir.
 The Valley has witnessed over 50 deaths in the past two months during efforts by police and the paramilitary to douse protests.
 Experts in New Delhi feel this could have been avoided if the security forces were equipped with advanced NLWs besides the teargas shells and rubber-bullets.
 "There is always scope for innovation in every field and the security forces should also adopt newer crowd-control methods," former BSF chief Prakash Singh had reportedly said a fortnight ago.  “But, unfortunately our forces don't have proper equipment to handle violence like in Kashmir,” he added.
 Echoing similar views, Ajai Raj Sharma, also a former BSF chief, said, "The basic equipment required for controlling crowd have not been provided or rather not procured."

PARAMILITARY SPEAKS
 The CRPF officials said the RAF has brought along many “sophisticated mob control devices.”
 “About ADS I am not sure but they (RAF) have many sophisticated mob control devices particularly the ones mounted on their vehicles,” the CRPF PRO Prabakhar Tripathi told Greater Kashmir.
 He said the forces would use the mob control devices only if a situation arises.
 “But we appeal to the people to be peaceful and not resort to any violence so that we don’t have to use any force be it a Lathi or a sophisticated vehicle mounted device,” the PRO told Greater Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST