Stop use of pepper gas in JK: AI to Govt

Taking a strong note of deaths allegedly caused due to use of pepper gas in Kashmir by forces, International Human rights watch dog, Amnesty International has asked the government to conduct a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into these deaths and suspend the use of pepper gas in the Valley.
“We call on the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the three deaths that were allegedly caused by the use of pepper gas,” Amnesty International said.
“In view of the recent deaths and harmful effects on bystanders, Amnesty International urges security forces to suspend the use of pepper gas in JK and revert to previously tested and less potentially harmful methods of crowd dispersal until rigorous independent investigations can be conducted to assess its effects on the public,” it added.
Giving details about the deaths of three persons due to pepper gas, Amnesty International said: “On 8 March, a 60-year old woman living in Srinagar died after a stray pepper spray grenade landed in her house from outside and detonated, engulfing her home in fumes. Two others, Muhammad Yusuf Sofi, 40, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, 60, also died allegedly from exposure to the pepper gas. All three were residents of Srinagar, and died in separate incidents where pepper spray grenades were used by law enforcement agencies. All three individuals suffered from pulmonary diseases such as chronic asthma, which were exacerbated by prolonged exposure to the pepper spray,” Amnesty quoted doctors as having said.
Amnesty urged the police to exercise restraint at all times in use of ‘non-lethal weapons’ “to minimize damage, injury and ensure the assistance and medical aid are rendered to injured or affected persons at the earliest possible moment.”
Local journalists and doctors who spoke with AI said that people who suffered from the effects of the pepper gas at times could not reach the hospital on time due to curfew, Amnesty said.
“According to local groups, doctors, and lawyers, the pepper gas affects bystanders and even people residing in homes nearby to where pepper gas is used. The gas leaks into people’s homes, he said, causing immediate symptoms such as severe irritation to the throat, lungs and skin that lasts for 1-2 hours and often leads to complications in people with pre-existing conditions such as asthma,” it added.
Lauding its concern against the ill-effects of pepper gas on children, Amnesty said, “A private Practioner in old city Srinagar spoke to Amnesty International and said that he has treated more than 12 cases of children directly affected by pepper gas and dozens more cases have been seen at the nearby government hospital.”
Criticizing the J&K govt and police department for lack of monitoring in its use, Shashikumar Velath, Programmes Director at Amnesty International India said, “The J&K government and police departments have clearly not established any guidelines or monitoring on the use of this pepper gas. The use of it has been widespread and not subject to assessment. Its use in these situations is yet another example of unregulated and excessive use of force by the police in J&K.”
Amnesty International calls on police officials to cease the general use of the pepper “gas” as a tool for dispersing large crowds, and for the government of Jammu and Kashmir to establish guidelines and procedures adhering to international standards as laid down by the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
There has been no evidence produced by the government, according to local groups, that says the use of pepper gas has been assessed and regulated according to international standards. Irritants that potentially cause harm, such as pepper gas, must be used in very limited and controlled quantities and situations, Amnesty said.
Pepper spray grenades were incorporated into the arsenal of “non-lethal” weaponry used to maintain law and order and disperse large crowds in J&K after a five-month street protest in 2010.
Citing the directions of the State Human Rights Commission, Amnesty said: “The SHRC also issued a directive to the state government on 12 March to produce certificates of permission from the national government regarding the use of pepper gas. However SHRC has received no response from the state government. Further SHRC as well as many other civil society groups have demanded that security forces cease using the pepper gas altogether.”