Over 3800 hit by pellets in Kashmir Valley last year: Govt to SHRC

The government has disclosed that at least 3896 people sustained pellet injuries in forces firing during over five month long unrest in Valley last year following killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
In response to a notice by State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), the government submitted the reports about the pellet injuries compiled by deputy commissioners of eight out of 10 districts of the Valley and medical superintendents of eight hospitals to the commission.
As per the reports of the deputy commissioners’ and hospitals, at least 3896 people were hit by pellets in forces firing during unrest last year following killing of Burhan on July 8, 2016.
As per the reports, 364 people sustained pellet injuries in eyes. “Of them, 24 were hit by pellets in both eyes”.
22 people were also hit by tear gas canisters fired by forces during unrest last year. 22 people also received bullet injuries in forces firing while 10 sustained injuries in forces beating.
North Kashmir
The report by Block Medical Officer (BMO) of Sheeri block of Baramulla district states that 155 people were injured by in the block.
In Kreeri block of Pattan area, 107 people were hit by pellets.
In Pattan block, 131 people received pellet injuries in forces firing. Of them, 23 victims received pellet injury in one eye, 45 on the whole body, 11 on their faces.
According to Block Medical Officer (BMO), Sopore, 440 persons hit by pellets in the apple town during the unrest.
In Dangiwacha area of Baramulla district, 99 people received pellet injuries.
In Kunzer block, 23 people sustained pellet injuries. Of them three had sustained pellet injury in the eyes.
47 persons were also injured in Rohama and one of them was hit by pellet in eye.
As per Medical Superintendent (MS) of district hospital Baramulla, the hospital received 244 injured during unrest last year.
Of the 244, four died while 64 had sustained pellet injuries in eyes, four of them in both eyes.
According to reports submitted by DC Baramulla, 10 persons sustained injuries in forces beating, 29 were hit by pellets, 11 by bullets and 12 by tear gas shells.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara in his report to SHRC disclosed that 48 persons sustained pellet injuries in the border district in forces firing during the unrest.
Of the 48 injured, 47 were hit by pellets in eyes, two of them in both eyes.
Srinagar
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar in his report to the commission disclosed that 1396 people were injured in the forces firing in Srinagar during the unrest.
The report disclosed that of 1396 injuries, 27 suffered ophthalmological disabilities.
“19 victims were treated at SKIMS Medical College Bemina and 8 were treated in SHMS hospital Srinagar,” it stated.
Ganderbal
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal informed the commission that 137 persons were injured in the district during the unrest last year. Two of the injured had received pellet injuries in one of their eyes.
South Kashmir
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama informed the SHRC that 47 persons sustained pellet injuries in eyes in the district. Two of the injured were hit by pellets in both the eyes.
In its report, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam informed the commission that 154 were hit by pellets in the district.
Of them 71 were hit by pellets in one eye and two in both eyes.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag in its report informed the SHRC that nine people were injured in pellet firing in the district.
Of the nine, 8 were hit by pellets in one eye and one in both eyes.
The District Police Headquarters Anantnag in its report mentioned cases of three more pellet injuries in the district.
As per their report, two victims received pellet injury in one eye and another in both eyes.
In its report to SHRC, Deputy Commissioner Shopian disclosed that 61 persons were hit by pellets in the district.
Of them, 51 were hit by pellets in one eye and seven in both eyes.
However Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Shopian in its report informed the commission that 850 injured people were treated at various health institutions of the district.
It states that of the 850 injured, 67 had sustained eye injuries.