To avoid deaths,injuries,police to buy Taser guns

There have,however,been reports of people dying after being hit by Taser shots. A senior executive of Taser International said: “There are allegations of about 300 deaths caused by Taser guns used on troublemakers in different countries. But in none of the cases,the postmortem report had stated that the death was caused by Taser guns.”

While Taser guns are being used by police forces in about 40 countries,it is a recent arrival in India. The J&K and the Punjab Police have already purchased the weapons. A Taser pistol costs over Rs 50,000,depending upon its features.

On September 10,the manufacturers had given a demonstration of a Taser pistol and shotgun before senior officers of the DGP Headquarters,PAC,Special Task Force and the Anti-Terrorist Squad at the 35 battalion PAC ground in Lucknow. R K Tiwari,ADG (PAC) said: “We have seen the demonstration. A committee has been formed to examine the technical aspects and work out details. The process is on.”

A senior official said the authorities were in favour of acquisition of Taser guns as it would help avoid the adverse fallout of riots and other law and order situations where the police have to use force. At present,the police have to open fire when lathis,water cannon,tear gas and rubber bullets do not work. Every time there is a death or an injury,the policemen have to face an inquiry and even criminal cases and punishment,he said.

The official,who witnessed the demonstration,said the Taser guns were fired on five STF commandoes,who volunteered for it. The shots were fired at their backs. The electrowaves disabled them and they fell on ground,but were normal within a short time. The commandoes said they were in their senses,but could not move their limbs for a few seconds,he added.