Pellet guns, sticks and tear gas: How India’s police halted a youth march

Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developmentsBy Anupreeta Das, Showkat Nanda and Jiawei WangThousands of unarmed students marching to the Indian Parliament were met with police using pellet guns, tear gas, and batons, leading to public outrage over excessive force.Videos and witness accounts show security forces hitting protesters on the torso and firing tear gas improperly, violating UN and Indian guidelines for peaceful demonstrations.Protesters filed petitions accusing police brutality; the Supreme Court called for an evidence-based inquiry, while some officials denied use of pellet guns despite reports and injuries.NEW DELHI – When thousands of unarmed students marched towards the Indian Parliament building in July in a rare challenge to the government, they were met by a wall of riot police officers determined to stop them.Officials had blocked internet in the area, initially slowing the emergence of details of the crackdown.Get unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroom