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Centre Rushes Eye Specialists To Kashmir To Help Protestors Injured By Pellet Guns

Nearly 100 people have undergone eye surgeries due to excessive use of pellet guns by the security forces.
SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA - 2016/02/05: A policeman points a pellet gun at protesters during pro-freedom demonstrations in old Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian controlled Kashmir.
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SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA - 2016/02/05: A policeman points a pellet gun at protesters during pro-freedom demonstrations in old Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian controlled Kashmir.

New Delhi -- The Union Health Ministry has rushed a three member team of eye specialists from AIIMS in New Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir to assist the state in treating people who have been injured following violent unrest after killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

"Health Minister J P Nadda has directed a three member high level team of eye specialists from AIIMS in New Delhi to be sent to Jammu and Kashmir to assist the state in providing medical care to the persons injured in the on-going law and order problem in the State," an official statement said adding that the team has reached the state.

The move comes after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah urged the Prime Minister to send specialist doctors to the Valley for treating the injured. Nadda has also assured all support to the state government.

In this picture taken on March 22, 2013, fifteen-year-old Musaib Lone, who lost the sight in his right eye after receiving an injury from a pellet gun allegedly fired by Indian police officials has drops placed in his eye during an interview with AFP at his home in Chotipora, Baramulla north of Srinagar.
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In this picture taken on March 22, 2013, fifteen-year-old Musaib Lone, who lost the sight in his right eye after receiving an injury from a pellet gun allegedly fired by Indian police officials has drops placed in his eye during an interview with AFP at his home in Chotipora, Baramulla north of Srinagar.

Violent clashes have erupted following the killing of Wani after which curfew has been imposed in many parts of the valley even as the death toll in clashes between protestors and security forces climbed to 34.

According to reports, hundreds of people have been injured while nearly 100 people have undergone eye surgeries due to excessive use of pellet guns by the security forces to control the protesters.

Nadda later tweeted,"We have sent a team of senior eye experts/specialists from AIIMS to J&K to assist the State. The team has reached Srinagar."

Earlier in the day, Abdullah said it was the time to reach out to the Valley with a healing touch and had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send specialist doctors to the Valley for treating the injured.

"Hon (Honourable) @narendramodi ji. After Kerala fire you carried a plane load of burn specialists with you.Please send eye/trauma specialists to Kashmir," he said.

"Please don't let the fact that these youngsters people have been injured in protests stop us from giving the best care possible.Thank you jenab," he said.

CPI(M) MLA Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami had also earlier said that the Centre should have dispatched doctors and medicines instead of more troops to Kashmir Valley in the wake of large-scale violence which left 24 dead and over 350 injured, said.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.