In a commendable move which will deter the rioters from attacking the police personnel, Rapid Action Force (RAF) has started the use of ‘anti-riot shields’. This new gear will ensure the safety of the RAF personnel as it can generate a current of 10-12 ampere, giving shock to anyone coming in contact with it.
The RAF used this innovative shield in Seelampur on Friday. Additional troops of the RAF, which is accustomed in controlling the riots and violent mobs, were deployed to look into the law and order situation to avoid any violent protest in the area. A few of them could be seen sporting the electric safety shield. According to sources, the new electric shield is a “pilot project” for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The main purpose of the shields are to protect police personnel from mobs.
RAF personnel hailed the introduction of the new shields, a senior officer said, “A lot of times, mob overpowers the police, pushing them out of a protesting site. With normal shields, the police can only save themselves by pushing the mob. But with the electric shield, mild shock can disrupt the mob and help disperse people.” Santosh, an RAF personnel, said, “This is the first time we will be using this. We have been instructed to push a button to activate the charge. A buzzing sound is emitted once it’s switched on. We have a plastic layer to our clothing to save us from the shock.”
The anti riot shield looks like a regular shield but it is made of polycarbonate material and has a wire on its cover which carries the charge. On the other side of the shield is a handle, which is used to hold it.
Notably, Delhi has witnessed heavy violence during the anti CAA protests especially in the Seelampur area, where the rioters went on rampage last Friday. The angry protesters (read rioters and hooligans) had torched three motorbikes, damaged three buses and two police booths. A mobile toilet was also set on fire. The protesters who were holding a ‘peaceful’ march suddenly turned violent when a heavy mob of around 3,000 people joined them. A police officer trying to control the mob had said, “We requested them to go back at Seelampur T-point. Protestors ignored our repeated requests and they resorted to stone-pelting. We had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.”
Police patrolled Seelampur Chowk, Wazirabad Road, Brijpuri, Jaffrabad and Shastri Park. Personnel from neighbouring districts of Rohini and East district were also deployed near Yamuna Khadar to stop protesters from moving to Northeast Delhi.
The protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act reached its zenith as the protesters turned violent and created a ruckus by damaging public property and pelting stones at the police. With the introduction of the new ‘anti riot shield’, it would be safer for the police to work as the anti CAA mobs have brutally targeted the police personnel.