Most tear gas shell fired to disperse protestors were expired
Source: IT News

Imphal, July 21 2018: Of the nearly 50 tear gas shells fire to disperse protesters on Thursday evening at uripok and Singhjamei area, many were found to have been expired, while others did not have expiry dates mentioned on them.

Large number of women folk with torch on their hand stage protest rally at Singjamei and Uripok area supporting the demand of the Manipuri University community for removal of the VC Prof.Pandey and also condemning the police brutalities to students protesting in front of BJP office as well as at CMO gate.

Most tear gas shell fired to disperse protestors on Thursdays were expired

A Police officer talking to Imphal Times said that most of the tear gas shell fired didn't explode if expired.

Health hazard from expired tear gas shell is not expected the police officer while talking over phone said.

Tear gas shells fired by the police on Thursday evening were found to be expired on April 2015 .

"There were many shells which had expired three years ago.

Others had no expiry date written on them," said a protestor at Uripok who did not want to disclose his identities.

"These are not antibiotics which can harm if taken after expiry date.

These shells become less intensive in releasing gas," another police officer told Imphal Times.

According to experts tear gas when expired turns toxic, and far more dangerous to humans and other organisms.

It can cause severe pulmonary damage, and the chemical compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile which is the main constituent of tear gas shells, popularly known as the CS gas, have also been known to cause significant damage to the heart and liver, as have been reported in some cases.

As according to expert, tear gas turns toxic on expiry which had dangerous health effects.

The tear gas can cause permanent blindness, chemical burns, miscarriages, fatal exacerbation of Asthmatics, seizures and even death if canister hit the person directly.

It's not clear how that might affect people differently from unexpired gas.

"Some experts contend that expired tear gas may lead to more dangerous health effects than its non-expired counterpart - for people heavily exposed to it," an international journal report.

Outdated pyrotechnic items which include tear gas, are considered hazardous waste as per "The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act" of 1976 and disposal of this items must be done in accordance with "Environmental Protection Agency" waste management regulations.

All commercial munitions which include tear gas, after expiry date are no longer guaranteed to function as designated.

Using outdated munitions are prohibited under law and open a liability on the operator.

However the most shocking part is that some people are collecting these shells and selling it to some mysterious buyers, who are apparently being paid a very high price for the canisters.

The question is will the Manipur government book those people responsible for the supply of expired tear gas shells or Is it intentionally used by state police force? .