Protesters hit by bullets above waist, say doctors

SRINAGAR: As tensions mount the number of persons injured and struggling for their lives continues to escalate in the Valley. Of the 1,365 people who have been injured in clashes, 110 have been admitted with bullet injuries in the three major super speciality hospitals.

Over 390 persons admitted in Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS), Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and Bone and Joint Hospital in Srinagar have injuries caused by bullets, pellets, tear gas shells and lathicharge by security forces.

Questioning the rationale of security forces of using live bullets on stone throwing protesters, a senior doctor at SMHS said that the “aim seemed to escalate than control”.

“How can we justify this wanton use of force? In many cases bullets and pellets have been fired above the waist. The objective definitely seems to kill or maim the person for life,” the doctor said.

Angry crowds came out in droves attacking government forces across Kashmir. At some places police posts and government buildings were also set on fire. In retaliation, forces fired bullets and pellets killing at-least 30 and injuring over a thousand mostly in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian.

Medical superintendent Dr Rashid Budoo said that 58 have been admitted since Saturday. “Of these 46 persons have firearm injuries. All those injured by fire arms have major fractures. Three others were serious with nerve injuries,” he said.

In SMHS hospital in old city Srinagar, as many as 320 injured persons were admitted since Saturday. Medical superintendent of SMHS Dr Nazir Chowdhary said that 50 patients have already been discharged.

Many youth admitted in SMHS were hit by bullets and pellets during stone pelting incidents. However, there have been many allegations by the injured against police and CRPF of targeting them without any provocation.