Expired tear gas shells used in Haryana to disperse Punjab farmers

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, November 28

Tear gas shells beyond the expiry date were reportedly used by the police to disperse protesting farmers from Punjab on the Rohtak-Hisar road in Meham town here on Thursday night and Friday.

Taking a serious note of the report, the state police are examining the matter.

The police had lobbed tear gas shells and water cannons on the farmers to disperse them when they removed the barricades and broke the ‘naka’ at the Rohtak-Hisar border for moving ahead to Delhi.

Some farmers found the used shells lying on the road and were shocked on finding that these had expired a year ago. Later, they approached the media to raise the issue.

“Tear gas shells are used rarely. Hence, these expire in the stock on many occasions. But stock verification is also conducted at regular intervals. Expired tear gas shells do not have any adverse effect on human health. These become less effective and sometimes, do not burst,” said a retired Director General of Police (DGP) on the condition of anonymity.

He further said tear gas shells were not bought in routine due to lack of funds and lengthy buying process.

“We got the input about the use of expired tear gas shells yesterday. The matter is being examined,” DGP Manoj Yadava told The Tribune.

Sandeep Khirwar, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Rohtak Range, denied having any such information while Rohtak SP Rahul Sharma could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.