Indian police buy pepper spray drones to control unruly mobs
Police in Uttar Pradesh want to use drones for crowd control and keeping track of criminals
Police in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have bought five drones capable of showering pepper spray on disorderly citizens.
Uttar Pradesh has previously hired drones for surveillance in "sensitive" parts of the state, but the Times of India says the gadgets will now be used to "control unruly crowds".
Yashasvi Yadav, senior superintendent of police, told the Press Trust of India: "We have purchased five drone cameras with capacity of lifting two kg weight. They can be used to shower pepper powder on an unruly mob in case of any trouble."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Police in the state's capital city of Lucknow, about 300 miles east of Delhi, have used drones to take aerial images during a number of festivities, including Republic Day and Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
"We had used drone cameras and they were so effective that we have decided to purchase them instead of hiring them. They will be used throughout the city for aerial surveillance," said Yadav.
The gadgets, which can fly up to 600 metres high in a one kilometre radius, would help with checking crimes and keeping track of criminals. Lucknow police are likely to be the first in the country to own the high-tech surveillance gadget, he added.
But Lucknow is apparently not the first police force in the world to purchase drones with the intent of quelling dissent.
According to Sputnik News, drone maker Desert Wolf sent its "Skunk Riot Control Copter" – equipped with four high-capacity paintball barrels and room for 4,000 pepper balls – to Turkey and South Africa.
Each barrel can release up to 20 balls per second to "control unruly crowds without endangering the lives of the protesters or the security staff".
Some police forces in the UK have tried out drones as a cheaper alternative to the technology used in helicopters for surveillance and to track down suspects on the run.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The fishy diplomacy causing tensions between Bangladesh and India
Under The Radar Exports of a 'sacred' fish were recently suspended during difficult relations for the two nations
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - October 6, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Sunday scaries, in-fighting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 fact-checked cartoons about the VP debate
Cartoons Artists take on civil disagreements, admissions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published