Contrary to popular belief, even the rubber bullets caused a few deaths, and so began the current experiment with pellets. This is why we need serious introspection and quick corrective action. In the U.S., the police have also been accused in the recent past of biases while using force. It was hoped that pellets, which are lead balls resembling ball bearings, would be less lethal than rubber bullets and conventional bullets but would carry no less deterrence to anti-social elements. The use of pelletsPellets as ammunition were introduced recently in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in reaction to complaints of excesses in 2010 by the security forces, who were using rubber bullets to disperse stone-pelting mobs.

Source: The Hindu July 25, 2016 19:07 UTC