Citing security reasons, the Indian Ordnance Factory in Pune has refused to divulge information about the efficacy of the pump action gun, which is used to shoot pellets. The board members of the factory that which manufactures the weapons upheld Sections 8(1)(a) and 8(1)(d) that exempt them from disclosing information related to security matters when a human rights activist sought details of the guns.
Venkatesh Nayakm, from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, had filed a Right to Information application with the Ordnance Factory Board Headquarters to know details about the weapon, the usage of which in Kashmir in the last two months has been widely criticised. Apart from its specifications, efficacy and types of cartridges that can be used, Nayak also sought details of every transaction – like who bought these weapons, sale price and quantity – that took place from January 2010 till now.
After the factory's board members refused to answer his query, Nayak said, “I had not asked information about weapons and ammunition used to defend the country against external aggression. I was only asking information about the specifications and characteristics, pricing and sales data about anti-riot weapons.”
Human rights activists as well as political leaders have raised concerns about the pump action guns after thousands of protestors suffered permanent injuries from the pellets used by them. The guns have been used by security forces to handle angry mobs in the Valley. The Parliament also debated the issue during the Monsoon Session. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned their use by security forces. He had asked the House, "What is the need for such disproportionate use of force?"
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