However, people are getting worried about the side effects of purple dye used in these water cannons.
The latest protests of state employees have seen not only the rioters, pedestrians, streets and vehicles dyed purple with the water cannon but worryingly some people have got skin allergies and skin irritation.
While Police maintains that the ‘hard to wash off dye’ is used in order to identify rioters but local commuters, shop owners and the media professionals covering the protests allege that they unnecessarily become ‘victims’ of the purple dye.
Dr Tamanna Jehangir, the Research Scientist Department of Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard University told Rising Kashmir, “The purple of the dye comes from a chemical called Chromium Iodide. Research has shown that when this chemical is encountered by the body, it can lead to bronchial asthma, skin irritation and various allergies.”
She said that the pressure with which this dyed water is thrown at rioters by forceful water cannons could intensify the affect of this metallic compound because it can easily tear through the skin leading to metabolic changes in the body.
“Not only Purple dye but Aluminium Bromide of Silver Dye, Copper Sulphate of Green Dye and Lead Oxide of Black Dye are all toxic. They not only can lead to harmful effect of eyes and skin but can even lead to cancer. These metallic compounds seep into the soil and rivers and can also lead to pollution of the environment,” said Tamanna.
The metabolic effects of the purple dye are not the only concern that is giving tough time to rioters and pedestrians at large. The purple dye of the water from the water cannon is hard to wash off.
“On Monday Police went berserk and fired numerous water cannons when EJAC employees gave police a run at Jehangir Chowk. All the garments hanging outside my shop were damaged by the purple water,” said Aijaz Ahmad Wani, a shopkeeper. “I immediately took these garments for a wash but the dye did not go. Now who will pay for my damaged clothes?”
The auto rickshaw drivers and passengers they ferry also suffer in this episode.
“The purple water seeped into my rickshaw and stained the seat. I was not able to ferry any passengers until the seat completely dried up,” said Bilal Ahmad, an auto rickshaw driver.
A number of people said that walked away from a protest spot after water cannons were fired at them but later came to know that they had received serious internal injuries like ruptured spleen.
“If ignored, such injuries can result in death. The high pressure of upto a 30 bar a modern water cannon achieves can break bones,” experts said.
Taking to Rising Kashmir, SSP Srinagar Afadul Mujtaba said, “We deliberately use hard to wash off colour in the water cannons. This way we can identify the rioters easily. However the dye used to colour water is completely harmless. It can’t cause death.”
Media persons particularly the photographers see the water cannon as a nuisance for them.
“We carry high-end equipment. Our cameras are costly. The highly pressurised water from can damage our equipment. Also the purple water leaves us unable to cover any other event in day as our clothes are all stained,” said Nisar Ahmad, a photojournalist working with The Hindu.
“Media has problem with everything. If we use ordinary batons they have problem with that as well. They themselves have to be careful while covering an encounter where a water cannon is used,” said Mujtaba. “Media professionals don’t come in front of bullets. Similarly they should avoid coming in front of the water cannon.”
Negating the Police claim, Yawar, a photojournalist working with Getty Images said, “It is not that photojournalists are not identifiable in a crowd. We carry cameras which is our identification. I think police should be careful in using water cannon.”
However, SSP Police Control Room said people in charge of water cannon van are specially trained for the job.