MP police to use pepper spray: DGP

Bhopal, Dec 9 (UNI) Attacking a policeman in Madhya Pradesh will be even harder now! Concerned over paucity of personnel, gherao of police stations and other related violence, the state police has decided to bring into force a 'self-protection spray' system and its use spray that would render an attacker powerless for an hour due to burning sensation in the eyes.

One pepper spray would thus do the work of four personnel and police would not have to resort to other forms of force for apprehending the attacker.

''Prolonged deliberation took place over this matter and it was ultimately felt that it will be useful to supply pepper spray cans for self-defence on experimental basis. Only 800 cans will be ordered for the present. If the experiment is sucessful then it will be adopted on experimental basis at all 1,040 police stations in the state,'' Director-General of Police Anand Rao Pawar told UNI here.

Pointing out that a single can, would render eight to ten attackers powerless, the top officer added the spray would not have any long-term ill effects.

''It is effective even from a distance of 15 to 20 feet. The Border Security Force is using the spray and we are obtaining it from them. The spray is a mixture of aerosol and capsicum. At a later stage, it may be used for dispersing mobs and agitators,'' Mr Pawar explained while adding that it was early days yet to comment on the price per can.

UNI