Srinagar: 16 Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police personnel where injured by the pellet guns in Kupwara during 2016, Amnesty International India, said on Wednesday.
AI India released report on Pellet Victims in Kashmir, in Srinagar.
The report titled “Losing Sight In Kashmir–The Impact of Pellet -Firing Shotguns”, features details of 88 victims. Some of whom have been permanently blinded by pellets between 2014- 2017. The report documents victims between the age group of 9-65 years.
The report lists 16 men identified as members of the Jammu & Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) who suffered various forms of injuries caused by pellets on the basis of data collected from District hospital Kupwara.
AI India also obtained information through right to information which suggests that the ‘use of inherently in accurate pellet firing shotguns by government forces has injured other security force personnel at least 16 personnel from the JKAP were treated for pellet injuries in Kupwara in 2016’.
“Amnesty International India wrote to the JKP and CRPF for further information but no response was recieved,” said Aakar Patel, executive director AI india.
The Amnesty International India made following recommendations to the Govt of India and the Govt of Jammu & Kashmir.
- To immediately stop the use of pellet firing shotguns and ensure the use of other weapons in line with international human rights standards on the use of force.
- Provide adequate compensation and rehabilitation including any medical and psychological care that may be needed.
- Initiate prompt, independent and impartial civilian criminal investigations into all incidents
- Provide relevant training on crowd control measures and use of firearms to security personnel as laid out in the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and UN code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
The report was released by Shehroza Mir a 10th standard student and Manzoor Ahmad bhat a baker both pellet injured released the report in presence of Aakar Patel, Executive Director AII, Shailesh Rai, Director Law and Policy AII, Zahoor Wani, Senior Campaigner AII and Asmita Basu of AII.
(Pic: Zargar Zahoor)
