Slingshots loaded with chilli will soon be used by police in northern India in an effort to tackle violent protesters.
Police near New Delhi announced on Wednesday that a combination of marbles and chilli powder will be introduced as a “non-lethal way” to control violent crowds.
Anil Kumar Rao, police inspector general of Hisar district, came up with the idea as an alternative to other crowd calming measures such as tear gas, water cannons or wooden sticks.
He told AFP: "It is much better than firing plastic bullets which can cause pretty bad injuries.
"We have to step in and take certain action when people are burning government property, cars. This is a very, very positive step - a civilised, cost-effective weapon."
Firing chilli powder is not the first unusual tactic for the Indian police force that is known for its unconventional crowd control methods.
In April last year police in the northern city of Lucknow said they were going to introduce pepper-spraying drones to control rioters.
Critics believe the marbles could cause serious injury but Mr Rao said they would be used sparingly and only after the "chilli balls" failed.