Restrain excessive Pepper Gas on humans: SHRC

Srinagar:  State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Wednesday asked police to restrain use of excessive ‘Pepper Gas’ on humans while observing that that if the experts view was considered, its use was without any rebuttal a serious Human Rights Violation.   

SHRC recommendation to police came on a petition filed by International Forum for Justice headed by Ahsan Untoo. 

“….A group of dozens of boys involved in stone pelting could be dealt in a manner which could not endanger health of old, infant and pregnant woman. For a sin of dozens of youngsters, thousands of peace loving people could not be punished and their rights enshrined in the constitution be violated in any circumstances or in any manner. Life is precious and right of life is a fundamental right,” SHRC member said, according to judgment circulated to media men by the petitioner.     

“In case doctor’s opinion and expert opinion is taken into consideration without any rebuttal, it is definitely serious human rights violation. Authorities are impressed to restrain to use excessive Pepper Gas on Human beings.”  

The IFJ in the petition says that on 25th of last month, police used pepper gun gas in huge quantity due to which residents of Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Rajouri Kadal and adjoining areas were subjected to torture as the infants and elderly persons got unconscious due to inhaling of the Pepper Gas.

“It is further averred that as per experts excessive use of Pepper Gas is dangerous for human life,” the SHRC member said while reading the petition.

As per senior doctors, Pepper gas can cause weakness in eye sight particularly among infants and minors, the petitioner said. “It can cause severe chest pain, infection, which in turn can lead to Tuberculosis and Asthma. The gas is very harmful and risky for pregnant woman.”  

In its petition, Untoo has mentioned the opinion of Deborah Bluam, who writes about the science. 

“She cites 2004 shady health hazards of Pepper spray which found that a douse of some of the chemicals in pepper spray can produce respiratory cardiac and neurological problems and even death.”