The Centre has faced flak for its poor handling of stone-pelting youths in Kashmir, so it is gearing up to meet the challenge in right earnest.
At the instance of the Union home ministry, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) has asked for a stronger weapons to stand up to stone-pelters. The ITBP, which is guarding the Indo-China Border, seems to be gearing up for riot-control. This is probably the reason it has invited tenders for supply of special riot drill equipment such as polycarbonate shield II B and polycarbonate lathi. The bids are for 1,024 lathis and shields. The shield, for instance, provides protection against stones and iron rods. The ITBP has also requested that the shield should have a cushioned arm-rest for comfort. The lathi is lightweight and offers high-impact resistance.
