Srinagar, Aug 19: After more than two months of continued unrest which claimed lives of 60 civilians, the Jammu and Kashmir police has pressed into service the sophisticated anti-riot gun which spews pepper balls on the target.
Policemen on Thursday could be seen brandishing the new weapon in the besieged City streets taking the passer-by mostly media persons by surprise as the avid lot inquired about its utility.
Sources in Home department said at-least 200 such guns have been imported from the US gun-making firm.
The gun –Pepper Ball Custom Carbine Launcher can rapid fire as many as 160 pellets on the targets. The company label states that Pepper Ball Technologies, San Diego California has manufactured the weapon.
The pepper balls, as per police, are loaded with non lethal pepper powder which explodes the moment it hits the target.
“The pepper ball explosion causes burning s ensation in the eyes of the enemy and it runs for cover,” said an expert requesting not to be named.
Sources said the security agencies introduced the pepper gun as an alternative to deadly assault riffles like AK 47 and Insas, allegedly used mostly on the protesters in this trouble torn region.
Both the state and the Central governments have been facing severe embarrassment over the continued civilian killings while the security experts have been suggesting the use of alternatives to automatic rifles used for mob-control in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the pepper ball firing in City has evoked a sharp response from protesters who say the weapon is the new avatar of the chilly powder.
“We have been throwing chilly powder on forces for decades. The gun seems to be its modified version,” said an elderly Abid Ahmed of Shahr-e-Khaas.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST