Chaos, confusion at Srinagar hospital

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 15

Chaos and confusion prevailed at Shri Maharaj Hari Singh Hospital even as siren-blazing ambulances brought injured persons from Pulwama where at least seven civilians were killed in the firing by security forces during clashes. The clashes had erupted following a gunfight between the security forces and militants at Kharpora Sirnoo village of the district.

Outside the emergency operation theatre (OT) in the trauma centre, the distraught relatives were huddled in one corner. On the other side, youth raised ‘pro-freedom’ slogans even as ambulances brought more injured from the gunfight site in Pulwama.

“They had cordoned off the village during the night. We heard the first shots at 5.15 am. After that, people came out of their houses and started throwing stones at the security forces,” said Naseema, the mother of an injured youth, Jehangir, 18, from Sirnoo village. The youth was operated upon in the emergency OT for a firearm-related injury in his abdomen. “As the protesters started throwing stones, the forces opened fire on the civilians. Many people were killed and injured in the firing,” Naseema said as another woman offered her water and tried to console her.