The valley of shadows

The valley of Kashmir, a territory disputed by India and Pakistan since 1947, is one of the

most militarized zones in the world. In 2010 the Indian government provided the security

forces deployed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir with a new weapon. Shotgun shells

flled with hundreds of small lead pellets are since then used to keep urban protests under

control. Defned as a “non-lethal” weapon, pellet guns should be aimed at the lower part

of the body.

On 8 July 2016 guerrilla group Hizbul-e-Mujahideen’s young commander Burhan Wani

was killed in an encounter by the Indian army. Popular especially among the youth thanks

to his use of social networks to spread his message, Wani’s martyrdom was the sparkle

that lighted up the entire valley. The government imposed a four-month-long curfew on

the local population, while separatist leaders called for a continuous strike.

Hundreds of young boys flled the streets of Kashmir protesting against the “Indian

occupation”, throwing stones against the army and the Kashmiri police. Security forces,

since July 2016, responded using pellet guns extensively.

According to Amnesty International, the new weapon is responsible for blinding hundreds

and killing 14 people.

Many of the victims were not involved in the clashes with security forces. Those who were

hit during the protests tend to avoid speaking about it openly, fearing retaliation by the

police.

For youngsters left with one eye reading has become too painful, thus forcing them to

abandon their studies, giving up the chance of pursuing higher education. Men left blind,

the only breadwinner in the family, are unable to work and provide for their beloved ones.

Carrying dozens of pellets in their bodies, victims face unknown long term health

consequences.

Left partially or totally blind, victims speak of the darkness descended upon their lives.

The only things left to see are the faint shadows that surround them.