By Maktoob
Amnesty International has accused Indian police of using unlawful and excessive force against protesters during the student-youth led NEET protests in Delhi and Bihar, saying that no police officer has been held accountable a month after the crackdown.
A new digital investigation by the rights organisation said its Evidence Lab verified witness testimony, videos and photographs showing the use of pellet-firing shotguns, tear gas launchers, grenades, batons and electric shock devices against protesters between July 20 and July 24.
Amnesty said the weapons were used in ways that breached international law, domestic policing guidelines and standards governing the use of force.
It verified 17 videos filmed in Delhi on July 20 and two videos from Siwan in Bihar filmed on July 24, which showed personnel from the Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) involved in the response.
According to Amnesty, its Evidence Lab verified two videos showing an RAF officer firing a shotgun into a crowd near the intersection of Connaught Place and Sansad Marg in Delhi.
The organisation also verified two videos showing protesters with injuries consistent with birdshot, a type of ammunition containing multiple small metal pellets. CCTV footage verified by Amnesty showed two RAF officers carrying shotguns several blocks away from the same location.
A protester who sustained pellet injuries told Amnesty, on condition of anonymity, that RAF personnel initially used tear gas before allegedly firing pellet-firing shotguns without warning.
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