Srinagar
Hailing the Amnesty International India report calling for immediate ban on the use of pellet guns in Kashmir, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Thursday said CPI (M) had been continuously campaigning for stopping the use of this deadly weapon which has been responsible for blinding, killing and traumatizing a number of people in the Valley.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, he said, “From Parliament to State Assembly and other forums CPI (M) have been raising the issue of ban on pellet guns as it is the cruellest and disastrous weapon. When All Party Parliamentary delegation visited here last year, assurances were given by the Center government that pellet guns will be replaced. But this government has become just the government of assurances. The pellet guns have created havoc in Kashmir. If ever any barbaric weapon has been used for maintaining law and order, it is this pellet guns.”
“The miseries of those have been blinded, maimed or killed by the pellet guns are immense. Government must take immediate steps to rehabilitate those who have lost their eyesight due to pellets or have been maimed. Though the damage done by the pellet guns is irreparable, the Government without wasting any further time must ban this cruel weapon,” he demanded.
“Even if Home Minister of India acknowledged last year the fact that pellets have darkened the world of young boys in Kashmir and an alternative would found, the fact remains that the assurances have remained limited to papers only. The pellets have gravely injured the Kashmir psyche and the use of brutal force against protesters on whatever pretext is simply unacceptable. Government of India and Government of Jammu and Kashmir have become just governments of assurances and on ground nothing is being implemented, “he added.
