Conflict

Amnesty launches ‘postcard campaign’ seeking ban on pellet guns

Srinagar: Human Rights Group Amnesty International has started an online and postcard campaign to gather support from the people of Jammu and Kashmir for banning pellet guns.

The campaign aims to make people write postcards to the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti seeking a ban on pump action guns.

“It is shameful that the serious concerns raised repeatedly regarding the use of pellet-firing guns have failed to receive sufficient attention from the state government,” said Aakar Patel, Executive Director, Amnesty International India.

In a statement Amnesty International pointed out that these so called ‘non lethal’ have killed 14 people since July 2016, while thousands have suffered serious injuries and hundreds completely blinded.

“Through this campaign, we want to send a message to the state government that the people of Kashmir want an immediate end to the use of pellet-firing shotguns. The voices of the victims and those who stand in solidarity with them must be heard,” said Zahoor Wani, campaigner, Amnesty International India.

In September, last year, Amnesty International India had released a report, “Losing Sight in Kashmir: The Impact of Pellet-Firing Shotguns”, which documented cases of 88 people whose eyesight was either temporarily or permanently damaged by pellets.

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