Amnesty Int’l to govt: Stop use of pellet guns

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 4

With injuries sustained by protesters mounting each day, human rights watchdog Amnesty International has urged the J&K Government to immediately stop the use of pellet guns.

Citing the death of three persons due to “lethal pellet injuries,” including that of Chattabal youth Fayaz Ahmad Shah, Amnesty International in its statement said, “pellet guns are inherently inaccurate and indiscriminate.”

“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,” it said.

Quoting media reports, it said 23-year-old Riyaz Ahmed Shah was found dead in Srinagar with multiple pellet injuries on August 3. Riyaz’s autopsy report said he was shot at from a close range and there were multiple pellet injuries to his vital organs.

“Hundreds of people have been injured, and many blinded, by the use of pellet guns by security forces in Kashmir in recent weeks,” said Zahoor Wani, senior campaigner, Amnesty International India, in the statement.

“Pellet guns are inherently inaccurate and indiscriminate, and have no place in law enforcement,” he said.

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

Following the protests over July 8 killing of militant commander Burhan Wani, nearly 50 protesters have been killed in the firing by security forces.