Haryana police junks guns for gulails to check riots

CHANDIGARH: A rudimentary contraption usually associated with childhood mischief will now help Haryana Police as they put away their guns to control violent agitators with as little violence as possible.

With marbles and chilli balls as the ammo, the ' gulail', or slingshot, will serve as the weapon of choice for a force reeling under criticism for being harsh with protesters.

The tactic has been devised by Hisar range IG A K Rao, who got the idea from his counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir. "Those agitating are our own people," Rao said. "They are not criminals. We cannot pelt back stones at them. Hence, we ordered 1,000 such gulels with marbles and chilli balls. They don't kill but are effective in dispersing mobs. Our boys are well-trained and can use them in any situation."

On the weekend, a team of 40 young cops, who have been provided with the desi ammo, practiced their aim.

Jind SP Abhishek Jorwal said, "We have four such companies with 10 young boys each who have been trained to use the gulels." During a confrontation, the gulel brigade with be placed third in row, behind cops with shields and batons. Jorwal added that 1,000 marbles have been distributed among the 40 cops.

The officials are hoping that this tactic will help change their image of being harsh with agitators. A 25-year-old woman guest teacher died after a rubber bullet hit her during an agitation in Rohtak in September 2008. In March 2012, a young boy was killed allegedly in the police firing during a protest by the Jat community for reservation under the OBC category. This had led to widespread violence by community members who laid a siege on rail tracks in different parts in the state for nearly 20 days.