Amnesty International Accuses India of Illegal and Lethal Force Against 'Cockroach' Protesters

Amnesty International has accused Indian authorities of using "illegal and lethal" force against youth protests organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in July. The demonstrations took place in Delhi and the state of Bihar.

Amnesty International's Evidence Lab analyzed 17 videos from Delhi and two from Siwan, Bihar. The organization confirmed that police used weapons such as pellet shotguns, tear gas launchers, grenades, batons, and electric shock devices. In Siwan, Amnesty verified two instances where a state police officer fired an AK-type assault rifle at protesters, finding no evidence of an imminent threat to justify lethal force.

"This repressive response was state violence disguised as crowd control. The impunity that persists a month later is proof of that," stated Aakar Patel, chairman of Amnesty International India's board. The NGO's lab also verified images of a Rapid Action Force (RAF) officer firing a shotgun at a crowd, and protesters with injuries consistent with metal pellets, which Amnesty deems unsuitable for protest control due to their inaccuracy and high risk of serious injury.

Delhi Police reported over 400 injuries, including both officers and protesters. In Siwan, at least three people were injured, including a bystander shot in the neck. Amnesty concluded that police actions contravened international standards and India's own police guidelines. However, authorities denied using disproportionate force, describing their actions as professional. The report comes as the CJP has called for a new march on September 5 in New Delhi, accusing the government of failing to meet commitments that ended the July protests.

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This repressive response was state violence disguised as crowd control. The impunity that persists a month later is proof of that.