Opposition leaders representing Jammu and Kashmir met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi seeking an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns. A delegation led by former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah submitted a memorandum which read, “We are of the firm opinion that the Central Government should waste no further time in initiating a credible and meaningful political dialogue with all stakeholders to address the unrest in the state.”
Abdullah said, “Continued failure to address the unrest in Kashmir will further deepen the sense of alienation among civilians.”
Meanwhile, days after a teenager was killed in clashes with security personnel, the situation has become very tense in Kashmir valley. Police officials have decided to maintain a curfew throughout the entire Kashmir valley to maintain law and order. On Sunday evening, 17-year-old Irfan Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, was killed after being struck by a tear gas shell which was fired by state police to disperse protesters.
On Saturday, an eight-year-old boy was hit by a pellet gun used by state police. By 11th August, security personnel had used 1.3 million pellets to control crowds which have been protesting the death of militant Burhan Wani since July 8.