Police deployed metallic pellet guns during the ‘Cockroach Party’ protest in India, a tactic that has drawn sharp condemnation from international human‑rights bodies. The weapons, designed for crowd control, can cause serious injury and were used in a setting where demonstrators demanded greater political accountability and transparency.

Observers argue that the assault on protesters constitutes a blatant breach of international human‑rights standards, which prohibit indiscriminate use of force and demand proportionality in law‑enforcement responses. The incident raises urgent questions about the state’s commitment to safeguarding civil liberties amid escalating social unrest.

Calls for independent inquiry and accountability have intensified, urging the government to review its crowd‑control protocols and ensure that law‑enforcement agencies respect the rights and dignity of all citizens.

Source: International Service for Human Rights