CRPF Director General Orders Internal Review After RAF Pellet Gun Use Claims
Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh confirmed a formal assessment of the Rapid Action Force's conduct during recent anti-NEET demonstrations. The probe follows reports of pellet gun use against protesters during a march toward Parliament.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh announced on July 27, 2026, that the agency has initiated a formal internal review regarding the conduct of its Rapid Action Force (RAF) during recent civil unrest. The review follows the dispersal of crowds and the suspension of the anti-NEET agitation that reached its peak on July 20.
Standard Procedure and Operational Accountability
The CRPF characterizes this initiative as a professional post-event assessment, a routine requirement under the force’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) following major deployments. General Singh told news agency ANI that the force headquarters will issue a formal statement once the analysis concludes. This specialized wing, primary tasked with riot control and crowd management, must now justify the methods employed during the Parliament March.
Key focus areas of the investigation include:
- Evaluating the specific circumstances that led to the deployment of pellet guns.
- Determining if the sequence of actions aligned with established protocols.
- Assessing the proportionality of the response in relation to the threat encountered.
Injuries Reported on Both Fronts
The scrutiny centers on the Connaught Place area, where the July 20 march took place. While several protesters reported grievous injuries attributed to pellet gun use by the RAF and Delhi Police, the security forces also recorded significant casualties. According to official sources, more than 47 RAF personnel suffered injuries during the confrontation, with several cases described as serious.
Determining Protocol Compliance
An anonymous official stated that while preliminary findings are currently known, a comprehensive final report is required before the force headquarters reaches a conclusion. The investigation aims to reconcile reports of tear gas and baton charges with the controversial allegations regarding pellet gun discharge. The final findings will be submitted to the highest levels of the CRPF command to clarify if the field response breached existing rules of engagement during the attempt to maintain order in the national capital.
Source: The Hindu — Home
