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Kashmir unrest: 14% of pellet gun victims are below 15

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 22 August 2016, 9:40 IST

The Valley has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on 8 July. Last week, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said that it had used 1.3 million pellets in 32 days, to control the crowds.

Security forces have been criticised for their use of pellet guns. However, security personnel claim that the pellets are not life-threatening and they are the only way to control the angry protesters.

According to a report in The Hindu, 14% of those injured by pellets are below the age of 15. And many of them will now have to undergo complex surgeries.

The report further states that Srinagar's Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital has treated 933 pellet cases till the first week of August.

"We had 440 pellet patients who were hit in the eyes. Of these, 60 to 70 patients were under the age of 15," The Hindu quoted Dr Sajad Khanday, consultant ophthalmologist at the SMHS as saying.

Talking about the patients who required second surgeries, Khanday said that there were "around 250 patients who required second surgeries. Many among them were very young".

First published: 22 August 2016, 9:40 IST