In the past one week, there have been several reports of civilians, including children, being targeted, allegedly by unknown gunmen and protesters, in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Attacks on civilians, some of which have resulted in deaths, are condemnable. State authorities should immediately investigate these incidents and bring perpetrators to justice,” said Zahoor Wani, Senior Campaigner, Amnesty International India. On April 30, three civilians were killed by unknown gunmen in the north Kashmir town of Baramulla.
On May 1, seven tourists were injured when a group of youngsters allegedly pelted stones at vehicles carrying both local residents and tourists in Pahalgam. On May 2, two children were injured, when unknown people threw stones at a school bus carrying 50 children in Shopian in south Kashmir. According to media reports, a Class II student, who suffered a head injury, is in a critical condition in a hospital in Srinagar.
The other boy, who was hit on his head, was discharged after treatment. “These incidents reveal the sorry state of law enforcement in Jammu and Kashmir. Attacks on children are particularly reprehensible and show an utter contempt for human life,” said Zahoor Wani.