Shaheena, 22, is in a state of shock after a bullet pierced her leg during a procession at Lasjan.
Parties differ, the PM ponders his next course of action even as paradise is on fire
SRINAGAR: Shaheena, 22, is in a state of shock after a bullet pierced her leg during a procession at Lasjan. The farmer’s daughter is unable to speak properly since she was admitted to the emergency ward of SMHS hospital and occasionally breaks down.
Shaheena was part of a women’s contingent of the procession that was fired upon by the security forces at Lasjan. She is among countless people including women wounded in the street fight that broke after the killing of Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz. “I do not what hit me when I fell down. I tried to flee in the fields when firing started. I do not know what happened later,” she says.
Anger and tension is palpable on Srinagar’s streets. Stench of smoke shells is leaving people breathless. Hospitals resemble war zone infirmaries.
Mohammad Arif Tantray, a 22-year old shopkeeper of Palhallan, is among those in the emergency ward. He was leading the procession at Palhallan which came under heavy
fire from the security forces. He was hit by bullets in both legs, yet seems unrelenting.
“They fired at us without any warning. We do not how many died and injured. We were leading a peaceful procession and wanted to join the funeral of our beloved leader,” said Tantray.
Hospital authorities have lost the count of people they have treated since morning. “I must have treated 50 to 60 people hit by bullets,” said Ghulam Qadir, a medical assistant at SMHS hospital. Ambulances wail every minute, bringing in loads of injured. Some had to wait for their turn to be operated.
The violence in Kashmir has shaken the entire political spectrum and the administration which has so far failed to bring the situation under control. Under fire from the people, state governor NN Vohra appealed to people to maintain calm. He expressed sympathy with families who lost their near and dear ones. “I urge people not to give heed to mischievous rumors and support efforts of the administration in maintaining peace and tranquility,” he said.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also broke his silence, condemning the spraying of bullets on unarmed protesters. “This is no way to resolve the crisis. Instead of adding fuel to the fire by the actions that are totally uncalled for, efforts must be made by the government to normalise the situation through a humane and reconciliatory approach,” the Mufti said.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
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