Hundreds Blinded, 3 Dead, Pellet Guns Come Under Scanner In Kashmir

Srinagar: Are pellet guns the non-lethal means to control mobs? That's the question rights groups are asking as hundreds have been blinded by pellets in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir.

Earlier this week, a 20-year-old lost his life as 360 pellets were pumped into him. Two others have reportedly died from pellet injuries as well.

Pellet guns were introduced as a non-lethal alternative after the 2010 Kashmir unrest, when 120 people died as stone-throwing mobs took to the streets.

For 2016, the abiding picture will be blinded eyes.

The Central Reserve Police Forces stationed in Kashmir say unlike previous agitations, the protests this time are more violent and pellet guns are used as a last resort. Ironically, the standing instruction to shoot at the legs result in injuries to the face and eyes, they say.  

Explaining that the stone pelting is more intense this time, senior CRPF officer KK Sharma said, "We maintain restraint. But if a youth bends to pick a stone, he gets hit by pellets."

The centre has formed an expert committee to look into the alternatives for pellet guns.

Rights groups, too, have launched campaigns like "Kashmir Blind Spot," in which text written in braille is used to create awareness about pellet guns.

"Through this creative campaign, we are appealing to the world... why can't you see the pain of people of Jammu and Kashmir?" said rights activist Khurram Parvez.

An earlier online campaign with morphed black and white images of celebrities with pellets in their faces had been extensively shared on social media.

"We have a right to protest. We cannot always portray ourselves as being violent. We have many non-violent ways to protest as well and this is the best way," said Raja Muneeb, a Srinagar-based businessman.