Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 15: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today demanded outright ban on use of pellet gun in Kashmir Valley during protests.
Expressing shock over unabated use of pellet guns, the DAK president Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said the lethality of these deadly weapons has become obvious and there is no justification of their use.
“They can cause serious injuries and can be fatal if they hit vital organs. For last few days, 120 people hit in eyes were treated in SMHS hospital, out of which 84 were operated. 21 were admitted at SKIMS Medical College Bemina out of which 19 were operated,” he said.
The DAK president said the figure is an underestimate as many, for reasons, do not report to hospitals. “80% of victims will not be able to retain their eye sight. In a study on ocular injuries due to pellets conducted at SKIMS Bemina, it was revealed that even after advanced surgical techniques, victim’s vision bears the brunt. When a pellet hits the eye, chance of retaining sight is rare”, he added.
“Majority of these patients have got into major depression and have suicidal tendencies. Two persons who were hit in head and chest died in SMHS hospital. According to a study conducted at SKIMS in 2010, pellet injuries killed at least six people and 198 were seriously injured. In an estimate, since 2010, 1500 persons have been left disabled by pellets,” Dr Nisar said.
He added: “the use of pellet gun is not in line with international standards and violates basic norms of human rights. Amnesty International has asked J&K to stop use of pellet gun. Even the police chief conceded that pellets do not have predictable trajectory. The ruling PDP legislators in opposition protested against the use of pellet guns and described them lethal.”
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