6 more pellet-hit brought to SMHS

Srinagar, Nov 28: At least six people hit by pellets during clashes at Budgam and Pulwama districts were on Wednesday shifted to the SMHS Hospital here.

All six were hit in their eyes and vital organs above waist.

The clashes followed an early morning encounter at Chattergam, Budgam, which left two militants dead.

Government forces used pump-action pellet guns to deal with the protesters.

Clashes erupted at Kakapora, Pulwama, after a rumour that one of the slain militants belonged to the area.

There was chaos outside the hospital’s emergency operation theatre in the morning, as fresh pellet-hit victims kept pouring in.

Father of two kids, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, of Kakapora has received pellets in both eyes and face.

Helped by his brothers, Fayaz walked with unease, blood droplets rolling down his swollen eyes.

“Coming under the jackboots was more painful than the pellets. I was being trampled like a dead leaf by police,” he said.

Asad-ul-Dar, his father, said, “My son was on his way to work when police showered pellets on him. He was not protesting”

Dar said the doctors told them that he has internal injuries in chest.

“Now, he has developed lifelong disability. He has two little daughters. What will they do? Who will look after them? They need their father.”

Another youth from Pulwama, Burhan Mir, a class-9 student, has received pellets in his left eye, which is now completely damaged. He has been admitted to ward 8.

“You can see I am wearing a school uniform. I was on way to school when police fired pellets, and I was hurt. I am feeling terrible pain in my left eye,” Burhan said.

The doctors said Burhan has “grievous injury” in his left eye.

“We will keep him under 24 hour observation and see if his sight can be recovered,” said a doctor.

Unaib Khurshid, 15, from Kralpora was hit on his face, eyes included.

His mother said, “Following the encounter, clashes erupted in which my son was also hurt.”

Two more patients, Mosin and Qasim, also from Kralpora, have received pellets in their eyes and chest, according to the doctors.

Qasim, they said, has head injury and was under observation. He has been asked to do a CT-Scan to confirm internal injury.