The famous bhut jolokia of the North East, which once topped the Scoville scale (used to measure the heat in chilli), has inspired a weapon – the ‘mirchi bomb’ or chilli grenade.
First conceptualized in 2010, Defence Research Development Organization’s (DRDO) Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) in Tezpur has now come up with a range of products to be used in different situations. From chilli spray which can be kept in a woman’s purse for self defence, to grenades that can be lobbed to control crowds or manage hostage situations, there’s al mirchi bomb for every situation.
“Locals burn dried pods of these chillies to keep wild elephants away. That is how we got the idea, said S. Datta of the DRL Capsaicin, the active ingredient in bhut jolokia, was initially extracted from the chilli. However, due to the difficulty in getting a steady supply of capsaicin from the plant, the laboratory now bases its products on the chemical alone, which is not extracted from the plant, but has the same chemical formula.
Several state police forces have tested the products and so has the National Security Guard (NSG). The aim was to make a weapon that would only target the ocular system and not the respiratory system. Non-explosive, eco-friendly and non-toxic, the product has minimal side effects, which go away within a few hours.
Picture Credit : Google
