AJK students, faculty members condemn use of pellet guns by India in Kashmir

Students and faculty members of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) staged a demonstration here on Thursday to condemn the use of pellet guns, which have left hundreds of people handicapped in Indian occupied part of Kashmir.

The demonstration was organized by the AJK chapter of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights (IFJHR), headed by Mr Mushtaq ul Islam, in collaboration with varsity administration.

Carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans condemning and seeking ban on use of pellet guns on peaceful protests in the India held territory, the demonstrators also chanted against India, vociferously.

Pellets are small iron ball bearings that are fired at high velocity. The guns pump out hundreds of pellets quickly, which can cause widespread injuries across the body.

According to Amnesty International India, the pellet gun cartridges used in India held Kashmir contain 400 to 500 plastic pellets. When fired at short range, a single shot can pierce the target’s body with hundreds of pellets. When aimed higher up the body, they can cause serious eye injuries.

Reports in local and international media revealed that these guns were used extensively during anti-India protests in the summer of 2010 and ever since there is not let up in its use.

Indian troops claim that they use the “non-lethal” pellet guns to quell protests when they go ‘out of control,’ but Mr Islam said pellet guns had claimed scores of lives, besides rendering hundreds of people handicapped for good.

“The situation is alarming, but the world community seems to be in deep slumber,” he lamented, stressing upon the UN, international community and global human rights watchdogs to end their silence and play their due role to bring the brutalities let loose by Indian troops in Kashmir to end.

Faculty members and students also expressed their views on the occasion.

“My heart goes to my brothers and sisters who are braving atrocities that have no parallel in the modern history… We all salute them for their valour and determination,” said Ayesha Sohail, chairperson of the English Department.

“The world must not remain silent over these atrocities,” she said.

Student Aqib Safeer said Kashmiri people had proved it time and again that use of brute force could not quell their popular movement for their right to self determination.

“While condemning the despicable acts of Indian troops, we also express complete support and solidarity with our brethren across the divide,” he said.
Others who spoke were Prof Dr Rustam Khan, dean of sciences, Uzair Ahmed Ghazali of Pasban-e-Hurriyat, an organization of post-1990 Kashmiri migrants.

Tariq Naqash