Pellet victims demand ban on pellet shotguns
Srinagar, May 20: Dozens of pallet victims held a protest demonstration in Srinagar Monday against the continuous use of pellet guns in Kashmir by the police and paramilitary forces.
The protestors, under the banner of Pellet Victims Welfare Trust, held the protest at Press Enclave here demanding ban on pellet guns, saying their continued use could render more people blind.
Among the protestors was the youngest pellet victim of Kashmir — Hiba Nisar – who was injured after getting hit by pellets inside her house in the Kapran area of Shopian district of south Kashmir in November last year. The pallets had ruptured her eye, causing extensive damage.
Later, the government extended financial help to this youngest victim and deposited Rs one lakh in her fixed account for three years.
The two-year-old Hiba was accompanied by her mother.
The trust appealed to the people of Kashmir to come in support of the pellet victims and contribute towards their medical needs.
Pellet guns are often used for crowd control during stone pelting incidents in the Valley.
The protesters demanded ban on pellet guns as hundreds of people in all age groups have been rendered completely blind by the pellets.
