Peerzada Ashiq

Peerzada Ashiq

The image of the baby has already become a rallying point for the protesters online as well on the streets against growing violence in Kashmir this year

With one eye focussed on a candy and another covered with layers of bandage, 19-month-old Hibba on Monday drew the attention of both patients and attendants at Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital’s Ophthalmology Ward No. 8.

Hibba from Shopian is Kashmir’s youngest-ever pellet victim.

The image of the baby with pellet marks on the eyelid, has already become a rallying point for protesters, both online and on the streets, against the growing violence in Kashmir this year — leading to 529 deaths, including 145 civilians and 241 militants.

Hibba, according to her mother Masarat Jan, was first choked by a tear-gas canister that exploded inside their house during clashes between protesters and security forces at Kapran, a village adjacent to Batgund area. The killing of six local militants in an operation by the security forces had fuelled the violent protest.

“I was forced to rush outside the house when Hibba and my five-year-old son struggled to breathe. Outside, someone fired a pellet shotgun and I could not cover the face of my baby,” said Masrat Jan, the victim’s mother, who too suffered pellet wounds on the hands.

May need surgery

Doctors attending on the baby said she may require surgical intervention. “Eleven people with pellet injuries in the eye were admitted on Sunday from Shopian, including Hibba and a Class 8 student Faizan Ahmad,” said SMHS hospital medical superintendent Dr. Saleem Tak.

Courtesy: The Hindu,Nov 27,2018