KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

The death of a third person in Jammu and Kashmir due to injuries caused by pellet guns is a reminder that the ‘less-lethal’ weapon can have deadly consequences.

23-year-old Riyaz Ahmed Shah was found dead in Srinagar with multiple pellet injuries on 3 August.

According to some media reports, the autopsy report said that Riyaz was shot at from a close range, and there were multiple pellet injuries to his vital organs. The state police have registered a murder case against unnamed security personnel.

Hundreds of people have been injured, and many blinded, by the use of pellet guns by security forces in Kashmir in recent weeks.

“Pellet guns are inherently inaccurate and indiscriminate, and have no place in law enforcement,” said Zahoor Wani, Senior Campaigner, Amnesty International India.

“They cannot ensure well-targeted shots and risk causing serious injury, including to bystanders or other protesters not engaging in violence. These risks are almost impossible to control,” he said.

Amnesty International India called on the Jammu and Kashmir government to immediately stop the use of pellet guns in policing protests.

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