I simply do not understand the sense of sending in these thullas covered in what looks like a padded rajai, a WWII helmet with a steel grill visor, and a lathio in hand man. Against guys chucking rocks at them.
There has to be a middle ground between lathis and throwing rocks back (today's newspaper had a photo of some thulls gathered around a wheelbarrow collecting brick pieces to chuck back!) and the use of live ammunition as a last ditch measure.
The security forces need much better body armour. Nothing fancy, but why not basic sports quality hard guards at least? Like elbow and forearm, knee and shin, hip and thigh, back, as well as motocross style upper body armor with shoulder and chest protector integrated as well? It would not cost more than 5000 bucks at most. Can't we spend that much on each policeman?
Secondly, the world over riot police have guns that fire non-lethal rubber bullets. Why not fire those at the stone pelters? Yes you could lose an eye or a testicle, but I find it hard to imagine rallies with green flags in Sopore or Anantnag over a young man minus one testicle. And it would give other young men something to think about before they accept their daily wages for stoning on hire.
Thirdly, as way back as the early 90s the Indian Army MP has had these electrical prods and tasers. Crude but very effective. And once hit, you develop this sudden overpowering lifelong urge not to experience it again! After all, there's something spectaculary un-heroic and un-inspiring about a "pro-freedom insurgent" going into grotesque tonic-clonic paroxysms on the ground as his bladder and anal sphincters lose all tone and violently expel their contents involuntarily.
Cheers, Doc