Jammu and Kahsmir government data has revealed that 9,010 people have been injured during protests in the Valley in the past four months, of which at least 1,248 were children below the age of 15. While 243 injured children were under 12 years old, 1,005 were between 12 and 15.
Most of the children who sustained injuries during police action to disperse protestors were from Kulgam in south Kashmir. The largest number of people injured during the protests were from Pulwama, while Baramulla accounted for the most number of people injured by pellets.
The region has been marred with violent protests since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8. The data was collected from hospitals by the state Health Department.
The hospitals in the region have received 6,205 patients with pellet injuries, 365 with bullet wounds and 2,436 with “other injuries”, according to the data till November 2.
Though government records do not elaborate on “other injuries”, The Indian Express reported quoting an official who said that the category comprised patients who were beaten up by the police and armed forces during raids. The document does not list the number of people lost their vision after getting hit by pellets in the eyes. The data also revealed that four people have been injured by Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide (PAVA) shells that were introduced as an alternative to pump action guns on September 3.
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