Mudassir Kuloo
Srinagar 16 Dec 2011: The use of pepper guns by the security process to disperse the protesters in Srinagar and in other parts of the valley has not only harmed the people but the experts have also warned of serious harmful effects to human lives.
The residents of the Down Town area which is witnessed frequent use of these guns, people in the area also have complained that pepper guns leaves chiller effect in the area and make one feel uneasy with nausea amid frequent coughing.
A local resident of Nowhatta claims that his aged father was an asthma patient, but the pepper spray ‘uses by security forces often during post Friday prayers has worsen his health condition’.
“I fear that someday my father may die because of pepper spray, which almost leaves him half dead. This is injustice with humanity,” he said.
Similar  complaints shared by a housewife of Hawal area, who said, her kids start vomiting whenever this shelling takes place in Down Town area.
Pertinently the peeper gun was introduced in the city last year during the summer unrest as a ‘non-lethal weapon’ to counter the street protests.
“If somebody is protesting why others should be victimized?” argued a vendor, Ali Mohammad of Down Town, while talking to Agence India Press.
Doctors at the Govt. Medical College Srinagar, confirmed that the pepper guns have biological effects, like nausea, loss of bowels, disorientation, vomiting, potential internal organ damage or death may occur.
They said, pepper spray causes immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing. “Chemical compound emanate from pepper guns irritate the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness.”
“Pepper spray causes a severe burning and stinging sensation in the eyes. It can also cause inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear mucous membrane that protects the front of the eyeball and the inner eyelids. People who already have cornea problems could suffer severe eye injury from pepper spray,” said an ophthalmologist at S.M.H.S. Hospital, Srinagar, but wished not to mention his name.
“There is increasing number of patients in the Valley who complains various eye problems causing owing to use of pepper guns by the security forces,” he claims.
While the human rights activist, Ahsan Untoo through his counsel had moved an application before the State Human Rights Commission seeking end of pepper gas being used for dispersing stone pelters in the Srinagar City.  The SHRC, while taking cognizance of interim complaint had “directed the state government and security forces to utilize other methods to control stone pelting youth rather than use excessive pepper gas which was harmful for the commoners.”
Various human rights groups have also demanded for ending up of pepper guns use in Kashmir especially in Srinagar by security forces to counter protestors. (AIP NEWS)