Scientists of the Kannauj-based fragrance development centre have developed a 'stink bomb' in capsule form to counter stone-pelters in Jammu and Kashmir

Kannauj, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, is known exclusively for its fragrance-producing industry. Scientists from this town are set to kick up a storm in the Kashmir Valley by trying to come up with a unique solution to counter the relentless stone-pelting.

Scientists of the Kannauj-based Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) have specially developed a 'stink bomb' in capsule form to counter stone-pelters in Jammu and Kashmir, according to an ANI report.

The capsule works by creating smoke having an unbearable odour. This will not affect the health of people who come in contact with the odour, the report added.

ANI reported that the capsule manufactured by the scientists, under the supervision of Shakti Vinay Shukla, principal director, FFDC and assistant director AP Singh, has been shown to the minister of state for Micro Medium and Small Industries (MSME) Giriraj Singh.

“The odour producing chemicals would be put in small glass capsule. These capsules will be fired through tear guns,” Shukla was quoted as saying in a report by Hindustan Times. The scientists at a defence laboratory at Gwalior would conduct the trial soon, he added.

Pellet guns, which government forces currently use to contain violence in Kashmir, have caused a huge uproar in the nation as it reportedly caused severe eye injuries to thousands of people leaving many permanently blind. While police maintains it is a non-lethal weapon, doctors treating pellet victims say it maims a person forever.

The report by Firstpost quoted Nisar Ul Hassan, medical consultantat Kashmir’s main hospital, SMHS, as saying, "There are over 120 people who have are being treated for pellet injuries here and a large number of them can’t see forever. Some 70-80 patients have received eye surgeries already and they may not be able to see again."

Firstpost reported last year that the Centre has appointed a committee to look for an alternative non-lethal weapon which is to submit recommendations in two months time. Details of variety of crowd control equipment are available on the net from various types of non-lethal weapons, gasses, sprays and the likes. Since 2008, Israelis have been using ‘Skunk’ for crowd control – spray from a water cannon, which leaves the odor of rotten sewages wherever it falls.

Following this, these innovators from Uttar Pradesh may have a working alternative to the merciless pellet guns. According to a report by News18, after the necessary clearances and approval of Defence Research and Development Organization and the Ministry of Defence, it will be handed over to the Army. Hopefully, this 'stink bomb' would prove to be a less harmful alternative to all the innocent people caught in the pellet and stone cross-fire in Kashmir.