International Forum for Justice and Human Rights Jammu and Kashmir (IFJHRJK) Chairman Muhammad Ahsan Untoo Sunday held symbolic blind protest to show solidarity with pellet gun victims in Kashmir.Untoo according to the statement issued to KNS along with his activists staged a symbolic blind protest against use of pellet guns, pepper gas, tear gas shelling at press enclave Srinagar.While talking with media persons Untoo said under international law, torture and cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment is prohibited (Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). “Pellet gun pepper spray, teargas shelling would clearly fall within this. It is irrelevant whether the demonstration included the pelting of stones, or even if it was while breaking curfew,” he said. He said that pellet guns, pepper spray, teargas shelling due to its harmful and long term affects, is cruel treatment.
Therefore, once again, Article 21 of the Constitution of India would prohibit the use of Pellet gun pepper spray, teargas shelling.Unto added From 2008- march 2016, 569 people fell prey to pellet firing Srinagar, International forum for justice and human rights Jammu Kashmir has released a comprehensive report on pellet gun victims of Kashmir.In the report it has been revealed that from 2008 to march 2016 569 innocent people fell prey to pellet firing of Indian occupational forces and police.According to report in these 569 people 73 lost their eyesight permanently ,174 lost their arms,100 lost legs and 222 people are such whose various parts of the body got damaged.IFJHRJK in its report made this sensational revelation that during last six years 569 people became disable by one way or the other due pellet firing.Untoo said some women are also among these pellet victims. In total out of 569 victims, 73 lost their eyesight permanently, 174 are such whose arms are permanently disabled, 100 are such whose legs became defunct and 222 others are such whose other parts of the body werebadly damaged due to pellet firing.Chairman IFJHRJK Mohammad Ahsan Untoo while lambasting government trigger happy forces for such inhumane actions said that he had got stay order on the use of pellet firing from state human rights commission in 2013 but despite that ban, rampant use of pellet continues and occupational forces have been given free hand to kill and disable Kashmiris by use of excessive force.
Untoo said our organization has decided to launch campaign against the use of pellet guns,pepper gas and tire gas shelling at international level and in coming week International forum for justice will also launch campaign and protest at Muzafferabad Pakistan in which every corner of society will participate to show solidarity with pellet victims.Untoo briefed press very soon our research team will get full data with related to pellet gun and will produce before press.Untoo said that he in constant touch with battery of lawyers and very soon he will knock the door of Honorable high court in this regard.On the occasion protesters raise slogans against use of pellet guns, pepper gas and tear gas shelling.Untoo appealed all fractions of freedom loving people, lawyers, students and intellectuals support campaign against use of lethal weapons. (KNS)