Kashmir violence: J-K govt seeks services of eye surgeons

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought services of eye surgeons for treating dozens of youth who are in danger of losing their eyesight after getting hit by pellets during protests over the past five days in the Valley.

"A specialised team of surgeons from New Delhi and other parts of the country are being rushed to Kashmir to take care of the persons injured in ongoing law and order situation and needing super-specialty care," an official spokesman said.

He said, "Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti spoke to Health Minister J P Nadda this morning and requested him to send a specialised team of doctors, including retina surgeons, to Kashmir to take care of the injured who have suffered ophthalmic and other trauma."

"We are expecting these specialised doctors to arrive here today and get down to the job immediately," the spokesman said.

He said, "On the instructions of the Chief Minister, the government is also facilitating shifting of any injured person outside the state, who needs super-specialised treatment in case it is not available locally."

The SMHS hospital here alone has received more than 100 cases of eye injuries due to pellet guns fired by security forces in the clashes following killing of Hibzul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter last Friday.

According to doctors at SMHS hospital, 107 cases of eye injuries have been reported since Saturday at the hospital.

"As many as 87 surgeries have been carried out on these patients. Out of these, eyesight of 40 patients has been restored while we are monitoring other patients," a doctor said.

He said, "Three of the injured persons have lost their eyesight due to pellet injuries and among the injured are three girls, including a nine-year-old."