Over 7700 injured in pellet firing, tear gas shelling, beating
The 16-25 year-olds have been the worst hit in the ongoing unrest in the Valley and over 7748 youngsters falling under the age group have been injured in the forces action in last 126 days.
According to an official data, at least 9010 people have been injured in forces firing, pellet and tear gas shelling and beating across the Valley in last four months of unrest.
“Of the 9010 injured, 243 fall under the age-group of 1-12 while 1005 are under the age of 12-15. However, majority (7762) belong to the age group of 16-25,” it revealed.
The data prepared by district hospitals reveals that 6200 people were treated by doctors in district hospitals for pellet injuries and 365 for bullet wounds. “2427 were treated after being either hit by teargas canisters, stones or beaten by forces.”
“90 percent of the injured treated in the district hospitals were in the age group of 16 -25,” it stated.
Despite youth being at receiving end during the ongoing unrest, the government has not postponed the board exams. It has decided to conduct the 10th and 12th class examinations from next week.
Firdous, a 10th class student from Sopore, said, “I have undergone three surgeries after being hit by pellets in the left eye in forces action. I am yet to re-gain vision in the eye.”
“3 months went into treatment and after being discharged from hospital, I was hiding at my relatives place to escape being caught by police. I was continuously changing places to evade arrest. And, now when I am at home, I am being asked to give exams. How is it humanly possible?”
A doctor at district hospital Anantnag told Kashmir Post that most of the patients treated in the hospital were teenagers and students.
“Some had sustained pellet injuries in eyes, face and back while some others were hurt after being hit by tear smoke shells or beaten by security personnel,” he said.
According to the doctor, the students, who have been treated for pellet injuries in eyes, can sit in examination but will have to undergo lot of stress.
“Studying with one eye is difficult,” he said.
More than 7000 people, mostly youth, have sustained pellet injuries in forces firing in four months of unrest in the Valley. Of these, about 1200 were hit by pellets in eyes.
Three girl students from Pulwama – Ifrah Jan, Shabroza Akhter and Shabroza Jan — were the recent victims of forces pellet firing.
A 10th standard student, Qaiser Hameed sofi recently died in mysterious circumstances with his family alleging that he was tortured and poisoned by the forces. Police has denied the charge.
When contacted, Director School Education Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat told Kashmir Post they have not compiled any data about injuries to students.
However, an official of Education department said they have compiled the list of the injured students.
“We cannot share the data as we are not authorized to share the findings,” he said.
