India to swap chili shells for some pellet guns in Kashmir

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh holds a press conference in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Singh is heading an all-party delegation to hold talks to various cross sections of people and leaders in Kashmir to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing unrest in the valley. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

FILE- In this July 13, 2016 file photo, Mohammad Imran Parray, who got wounded after being hit by pellets during a protest recovers at a hospital in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Monday that government troops will begin using some chili-filled shells instead of shotgun pellets to control angry crowds in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir. According to local officials and doctors, the use of pellet guns has killed at least four people and left more than 100 partially or completely blind. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE- In this Aug. 5, 2016 file photo, an Indian policeman aims his pellet gun at protesters during a protest against recent killings in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Monday that government troops will begin using some chili-filled shells instead of shotgun pellets to control angry crowds in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir. According to local officials and doctors, the use of pellet guns has killed at least four people and left more than 100 partially or completely blind. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan, File) (The Associated Press)

India's home minister says government troops will begin using some chili-filled shells instead of shotgun pellets to control angry crowds in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to reporters Monday in the region's main city, Srinagar.

Kashmir has experienced some of its biggest displays of anti-India anger in recent years after Indian troops killed a hugely popular rebel commander on July 8. Troops have used live ammunition and pellet guns to control rock-throwing crowds, killing more than 70 people and leaving thousands of others injured.

According to local officials and doctors, the use of pellet guns has killed at least four people and left more than 100 partially or completely blind.

The new shells are said to severely irritate and temporarily immobilize their targets.