More than 150 people have suffered injuries from tear gas and pellets in the occupied Kashmir region since Indian troops launched a major crackdown this month, data from the region's two main hospitals shows, according to Al-Jazeera. At least 152 people reported to Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and Shri Maharaj Hari Singh Hospital with injuries from pellet shots and tear gas fire between August 5 and August 21, according to data acquired by Reuters news agency. Authorities in India deployed additional paramilitary police, banned public gatherings and cut mobile phone and internet links to prevent large-scale protests after withdrawing the territory's special status on August 5.
However, people, especially youth, have come out on the streets of occupied Srinagar, on occasions such as Friday p0rayers or Eid this month, to protest India's unprecedented move, in which clashes between Indian security forces and demonstrators have taken place. A local government official in the state of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the number of injured was probably higher than the figures from the two hospitals.
Many of those who were discharged within hours do not feature in their list, said the official, adding that those treated at smaller hospitals remain unaccounted for. According to media reports, people as young as 15 have been admitted in hospitals for firearm injuries. A 16-year-old student, Asrar Khan, was hospitalized on August 6 with severe injuries after a confrontation with Indian security forces.
Witnesses who spoke to Al-Jazeera said a returning group of Indian paramilitary troops fired a tear gas shell at Khan. He was also hit by pellet-gun shrapnel in the face. Another witness said there was no protest in the area prior to the incident. Doctors at SKIMS operated on him during the night after CT scans revealed severe internal bleeding in the head.
A medical official at the hospital told Al=Jazeera that the young male was likely to lose vision in both his eyes if he survives. "He has suffered serious head injuries and our priority right now is to save his life," said the official who wished to remain anonymous. At SKIMS, one of the largest government-run hospitals in Srinagar, there are five to six young boys who have been wounded by Indian paramilitary troops since the military crackdown begain in the disputed region, according to the official.
AP adds: Security forces in riot gear carrying assault rifles surrounded the UN office. A paramilitary officer said all vehicles and pedestrians were banned in the area to stop any anti-India protest. "We have directions to not allow even top officials in the area," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy. Since Monday, two weeks since Kashmir's special status was abolished, authorities have eased some restrictions, allowing some businesses to reopen in Srinagar. Landline phone service has been restored in some areas. Officials also say they have opened grade schools. But both student and teacher attendance has been sparse.
However, downtown Srinagar, the urban heart of resistance against India where about half a million people live, remained under a blockade. Some vendors and shopkeepers complained that police were forcing them to resume business to "enforce normalcy" in Kashmir. "They are telling us if you don't resume business, we will take away the space allotted for vendors," said Mohammed Akbar, a vendor in the city's main business center, Lal Chowk. Some taxi drivers also said authorities were forcing them on the roads even without passengers so that roads appeared busy with traffic.
"They are exploiting the concerns of people pertaining to their livelihood. They're using the same tactics they've employed time and again to break our resolve," said Shakil Ahmed Bhat, a local resident. "But they should know that this people will never surrender." Kashmir has seen mass arrests and lockdowns before. The partition of the territory left India in control of most of Kashmir, and Pakistan and China in charge of other parts. India has often tried to suppress uprisings, including a bloody armed rebellion in 1989. About 70,000 people have been killed since that uprising and a subsequent Indian military crackdown.
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