Amnesty releases report on impact of pellet guns

Amnesty International India (AI) today released a report on the pellet and its impact on the people of the Kashmir valley.

“Pellet-firing shotguns, which have been responsible for blinding, killing and traumatizing hundreds of people in Kashmir, must be immediately banned,” Amnesty International India reiterated during the release of the report here in Srinagar.

The report titled “Losing Sight in Kashmir: The impact of pellet-Firing Shotguns” depicts the cases of 88 pellet victims in the valley whose eyesight was damaged by the metal pellets fired from pump-action shotguns used by the police and Central Reserve Police Force between 2014 and 2017.

Speaking on the occasion, Aakar Patel, Executive Director at Amnesty International India reminded the government of Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s promise in his independence day speech about the Kashmir, he said that, “if government truly means, they must end the use of pellet-firing shotguns”.

“The weapon (pellets) which is reserved for only Kashmiris should not be used,” Patel said.

“Authorities have a duty to maintain public order, but using pellet shotguns is not solution,” said Aakar Patel

“Security forces must address stone-throwing or other violence by protestors by means that allow for better targeting or more control over harm cause.”

“It is irresponsible of authorities to continue the use of these shotguns despite being aware of the damage they do,” he said.

 

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