New Delhi:
The violent protesters disturbing the peace during the anti-citizenship law protests in Delhi may get a shock now. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, being used to maintain order in various areas of the national capital, are now being given an electric shield to protect and repel violent protesters and rioters. The shields will give electric shock any rioter coming in contact with them.
These shock shields cost around Rs 20,000 apiece, according to reports. They will replace the polycarbonate shields currently used by the troops. With these shock shields, RAF troops, at the flip of a switch, can deliver a non-lethal dose of electric shock to rioters coming in contact with them.
This is the first time RAF in the national capital is being equipped with such electric shock shields. This shield delivers an electric shock of about 12 volts. There is a red button behind the shield and metal strips on the outside of the polycarbonate. If needed, the RAF personnel can press the button to deliver shock through the strips.
India's anti-riot personnel, known as the Rapid Action Force (RAF), number around 10,000 and are called upon to break up riots and communal clashes.
On Friday, Delhi Police made elaborate arrangements to check and deal with any untoward situation in the national capital and prohibitory orders were imposed in several sensitive areas of the city. Restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC were imposed in the area near Lal Quila, a large part of northeast Delhi district and around UP Bhawan in anticipation of the protests.
In Seelampur where protests turned violent on December 17 but remained peaceful last Friday, section 144 has been imposed and about 15 companies of police force were deployed. The police also carried out a flag march in the morning and urged local Muslim clerics to appeal for peace and tranquillity. According to the police, section 144 has been put in place in 12 police station areas in northeast Delhi.
