Riyaz Ul Khaliq
SRINAGAR
While Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti was in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday afternoon reviewing the security situation after five persons were killed in firing by forces, three youth were hit by pellets in Trehgam area and were rushed to SMHS Srinagar.
Protests erupted in Trehgam area on Saturday against the civilian killings. Locals said that forces used pepper gas, pellets and tear gas shelling.
“They came inside Mohallas and fired tear gas,” locals told Kashmir Life over phone, “it was hell here.”
In the evening, three youth were hit by pellets, and were rushed to Srinagar for treatment while four others sustained minor injuries and were taken to Kupwara hospital, locals said.
The three pellet injured youth identified as Danish Ahmad, s/o Mohammad Ashraf; Sajad Ahmad, s/o Bashir Ahmad and Khalid Gaffar, all of them residents of Trehgam were hit by pellets near their homes. Seven persons are attending them in Ward 8 of SMHS while Khalid was given treatment and discharged from hospital only Saturday evening.
Narrating events, Tariq Ahmad who is accompanying his injured cousin in SMHS here, said, “Sajad is a labourer and was on way home from his work. He was hit by pellet just near his home.”
Both the pellet injured youth have been operated upon. “They were hit by pellets in their right eyes,” Tariq told Kashmir Life, “doctors operated upon them around 9 late Saturday evening.”
He said, “pellets are all over the bodies of Danish and Sajad. Treatment is going on; doctors told us that ultrasound needs to be done and waiting for that.”
Tariq said that the incident happened around 5:30 PM and “we reached SMHS around 7:30 PM”. “Danish and Sajad have got stitches and doctors asked us to wait. They said wounds should get healed first otherwise there are chances of infection.”
Danish studies at Government High School Trehgam and is a student of class tenth while Sajad after leaving studies mid-way works as a labourer now.
Tariq said, “CRPF, police and SOG went berserk in our area breaking windows, glasses, doors, tin sheds.” “There were protests and stone pelting but they came inside Mohallas.”
“Tear gas shells landed inside our premises,” another local said, “it was like Friday situation around Nowhatta in Srinagar.”
Speaking to Kashmir Life, MS SMHS said, “the duo are stable. We will wait till tomorrow.”
Five persons were killed during protests since last Tuesday afternoon following an alleged molestation bid by an army man in main Handwara Chowk. Kashmir remained shut for four continuous days against the civilian killings by forces while J&K government has started disbursing relief amongst the NoK of deceased.
