Crippled and bedridden, story of bullet shell victim Sameer Bhat

Sumreen Amin

Srinagar, Jan 25 (KNB): The horror of the pellet guns have engulfed the whole valley, especially South Kashmir where slain Hizbul Mujahedin Commander Burhan Wani belonged to. Insha Mushtaq became the premiere of the pellet victims whose eyes were partially or completely damaged by the pellets.

The Supreme Court upheld the use of Pellet Guns as a non-lethal Weapon to curb the protesting Kashmiris. Thousands of Civilians lost their eyes due the pellets, some even got killed. “Sameer Bhat another misfortunate Kashmiri, who was hit by a bullet shell in his head, is striving hard to recover from the ailment.”

An 18-year-old 12th class student at Govt. Higher Secondary School Mattan in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. He was recently declared as ‘pass’ in the Annual Examination of 12th Class conducted by the J&K State Board of School Education. His performance could be undermined since he is not at par with the meritorious students. But for his parents it’s a moment of pride.

On 27 May 2017, Sameer on routine was present at his school attending his classes. Anantnag district has recently evolved as the hub of protests and stone pelting in South Kashmir after District Pulwama (reports). Meanwhile in the vicinity of his school (above mentioned) people came along roads raising slogans and hurling stones on policemen and security forces. The forces chased away the protestors and some got inside the school premises. Students were rushing to their lives, so was Sameer, Unfortunately he was shot with a bullet in his head.

Zahida Bhat, his sister said we were busy in our routine work when we heard the news and our life changed after the tragedy.

“Sameer, my younger brother was in school when the incident happened. When he heard the protests outside his school, Like others he too was running for life when the bullet shell hit his head,” said Zahida, a student of 1st year.
He was lucky to survive but his body is partially paralyzed. He is bed ridden and is dependent on his family members to make any physical movement. The family is too poor to meet any financial requirements for his treatment. After being hit with the bullet he was admitted to the SMSH hospital where he was in coma for three months. Back home there were rumors about his death and with each passing day his family was giving up hope. His family believes that it’s a miracle that he is still alive but at the same time, they are disheartened looking at his condition.

“I was on the way to school when I heard about a boy being hit with bullet belonged to my neighborhood. I began to shiver and became numb,” said a neighbor who is a teacher.

Sameer who wanted to be an engineer is unable to understand what is happening around him. The doctors say it may take infinite time for him to be normal.

“We don’t know how long will it take for him to be normal. He has to undergo another surgery in June. We pray for his speedy recovery.”

“We are happy at least he is able to recognize us or all others for that matter. Most of the time I spend my time with him so that he feels comfortable,” said Zahida.

With regret in her eyes she added, “I wish he had not gone to school that day.”

The family is unable to come out of the trauma while his mother seems to be the one most affected by this incident. Seeing her only son bed ridden and mentally weak has depressed her. She talks less and is in interested in her work much.

“His condition kills me every day,” said his mother. (KNB)

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