Stones vs Pellets: Why terror apologists must look at these statistics

The so-called liberals have spared no effort to question the use of pellet guns to counter the stone pelters in Jammu and Kashmir. There is a debate almost everyday about the number of people who have been injured due to pellet guns.

The pellet gun which was first approved in 2010 by the Omar Abdullah government has become the last resort for security forces who have always been told to exercise restraint.

To suggest the gravity of the situation let us look at this figure. 280 stone pelters injured due to pellet guns, 2,600 security personnel injured due to stone pelting. The country may debate this issue day in and day out, but the fact is that the government has been soft on the stone pelters who relentlessly go about their business.

There have been suggestions across various quarters to deal with these people in a firm manner. The solution in Israel and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is shoot at sight or impose imprisonment of 20 years. However, many in the government feel that this is no way to deal with your own people.

A relentless lot

Security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir say that the stone pelters are relentless in their approach. They keep appearing in batches and pelt stones at us. With a directive to be resistant, the first attempt is to disperse the mob.

However, they take complete advantage of the resistance and continue to pelt stones which then forces us to use the pellet gun as a last resort, the security personnel points out.

He further points out that behind the mob is a group of hardcore terrorists who hurl grenades. Recently a plot to open fire from behind the batch of stone pelters was also busted by the Indian army.

Amar Bhushan, former officer with the Research and Analysis Wing tells OneIndia that in Israel the police use numb bullets. "This should be done in India as well. I have seen in Kashmir this time, the police personnel pelting stones back at the mob. This cannot happen. These stone pelters use children as cover and the same had been found in Israel as well. Hence the numb bullet and a harsher law would be the best way to go about the problem," Bhushan also points out.

How do Israel and Pakistan deal with a similar problem

According to the Israel Knesset, the country hands down 1,000 indictments annually for stone pelting. Recently the Parliament approved handing out of a 20 year sentence for stone pelters, a move that was termed as racist and excessive by Palestine.

In Israel, the Parliament had approved tough penalties for stone pelters. Among the 86 law makers, 69 favoured the law. Israel's justice minister stated, "Tolerances towards the terrorists ends today. A stone thrower is a terrorist and only a fitting punishment can serve as a deterrent and just Punishment," the minister also said.

Israel which has been facing the problem of stone pelters since the early 1990s also had to deal with human rights activists and terror apologists who supported Palestine.

As per the new law in Israel, a sentence of 20 years in jail would be imposed for throwing a stone at a vehicle with the intent of causing bodily harm and ten years imprisonment would be imposed if the intent was not proven.

In Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) the police have been extremely harsh on those raising their voices. Horror stories of such persons going missing or being killed are reported. To add to the irony it is the same Pakistan which gives India a lecture on human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

OneIndia News