SRINAGAR: Police and troops in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) will use chilli-based shells instead of pellet guns to quell protests, a minister said Monday, after hundreds of civilians sustained serious eye injuries in weeks of unrest.
The Indian government has been coming under growing pressure over the level of casualties in IOK during protests against Indian rule.
Speaking on a visit to the state capital Srinagar, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said an expert panel had recommended the use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillylamide (PAVA) shells as an alternative to the mainly lead-based pellets.
"The expert panel suggested the use of PAVA shells and I understand that no one can die from it," Singh told reporters as fresh clashes erupted in parts of the territory.
"Since yesterday, 1,000 shells have already reached Kashmir," he added.
PAVA, also called Nonivamide, is present in chillis and is commonly used to make pepper spray.