Class X student fell victim to Police Pellets; Loss of Eye Sight Feared

May 25, 2015 | 01:21 PM | 65 Views
Kashmir_Pellets_youth_hamid_bhat_blind_niharonline

The Jammu and Kashmir government is facing severe criticism and condemnation for its continuous use of pellet guns after a teenager suffered severe face and head injuries on Thursday when police and paramilitary forces opened fire on demonstrators in North Kashmir’s Palhalan area. According to eyewitnesses, 16-year-old Hamid Ahmad Bhat, a student of Class 10, was on his way to his friend’s house on Thursday evening when police and paramilitary forces chasing protesters fired indiscriminately near the higher secondary school in Palhalan. Sources said scores of pellets hit Bhat on his head, forehead and face. Nazir Ahmad, the teenager's father, said doctors treating his son were not sure whether his sight will return in the right eye. “They can only tell after 48 hours,” he added. Since 2010, when massive protests erupted in Kashmir after the killing of teenagers in firing, security forces started firing from pump action shotguns or pellet guns. Though police and security agencies term these non-lethal weapons, doctors say pellets are more harmful than bullets. Police and paramilitary forces also use pepper guns containing super-irritant Capsaicin in the form of concentrated dry powder. The gun can be used from a distance of 50 metres and the dry powder creates dust, temporarily blinding the target for three to five minutes within which the suspect can be apprehended. The National Conference has criticised use of pellet and pepper guns. “I will not blame any party or any leader. I will only say this is very sad thing and these things need to stop,” Junaid Azim Mattu, NC spokesman, said.

Latest News

Most Popular