Ban on the use of firearms, electric shock batons by all police forces: clothing for persons with disabilities

Security personnel carry out baton attack to disperse protesters during ‘Chalo Sansad’ called by Cockroach Janta Party near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI

Disability rights organizations, medical groups, individuals and concerned citizens have condemned the apparent use of firearms and electric shock weapons against protesters during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in the state capital on July 20. The incident reportedly took place during a youth protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the leak of examination papers.

The Progressive Medicos and Scientific Forum (PMSF) and the umbrella group National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) have called for an immediate ban on the use of firearms, electric shock batons and all other weapons capable of causing permanent disability by all police and paramilitary forces. They also called for an independent judicial inquiry into the matter.

Fix the liability

“The government should identify and prosecute all personnel responsible for the use of such weapons and establish accountability throughout the chain of command, including those who authorized their deployment,” the NPRD said in a statement.

The group said several protesters were seriously injured, including Sheikh Irshad Mansoori, 25, who suffered multiple pellet injuries on his chest, neck and face and is undergoing treatment at Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital, the group noted that doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Delhi are fighting to save the vision of Lowayearvingold Sahil 19- the national flag at Jantar Mantar. “There were also reports of the alleged use of electric shock batons during the crackdown,” the group said.

May cause permanent disability

The group added that it views the use of these weapons with particular concern because they are known to cause permanent disability.

“Pellet weapons have caused irreversible eye injuries and blindness. Electric shock weapons can lead to neurological and cardiac complications, severe psychological trauma, fractures and spinal injuries from falls, and other long-term damage. Weapons whose predictable consequence is permanent disability have no place in policing civil protests,” they said.

The group added that the use of force against persons with disabilities who participated in the protest was deplorable.

“The state must be reminded that it has an increased duty to ensure the safety, dignity and equal protection of disabled persons under the law and not subject them to violence when they exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest,” he said, while calling for free medical treatment, rehabilitation, psychosocial support and adequate compensation for any person injured during police action, especially those who suffer permanent or long-term disabilities.

Three confirmed cases: PMSF

Meanwhile, the PMSF noted that it has traced at least three confirmed cases of the use of firearms against protesters by security forces.

“These experiments using shotguns and stun batons by security forces against fellow citizens have reached the capital. All three victims are seriously injured and two of them are now permanently disabled and disfigured due to eye and ear injuries,” the PMSF said while condemning the use of publicly funded medical schools as illegal detention centres.

Published – 24 Jul 2026 19:17 IST