Pellet woes: Two surgeries fail to restore pellet victim’s eyesight
Shopian: Twenty year old, Javaid Ahmad Bhat has failed to regain his eye sight after he was hit by pellets in his right eye. Javaid had to undergo two surgeries but so far his right eye has not seen restoration of sight.
Javaid was one among the youth who were targeted by forces as pellets were fired at them in August this year.
Javaid Ahmad Bhat (20), son of Wali Muhammad Bhat of Litter Pulwama was hit by pellets on Aug 13, 2017, during clashes near the encounter site at Awneera village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Javaid, who had started his own provisions store after leaving his studies mid way says that the day he was hit by pellets life has not been the same for him.
“I left studies midway as my parents could not afford to let me continue my education. Soon after leaving my studies I started a Kiryana shop in Shirmal village,” he said.
He said that he was attending to his shop when he heard that an injured man identified as Muhammad Sayeed Bhat needs blood.
“As soon as I heard the news, I went to Zainapora to donate blood. However, on reaching the hospital, I came to know that he has been shifted to Srinagar,” he said.
He said that he suffered pellet injuries in chest, face and right eye after he left the hospital and was heading back home.
Wali Muhammad Bhat, father of Javaid said that his son has undergone two surgeries so far but doctors were not successful in restoring his eyesight.
He added that he has to undergo surgery for the third in January next year.
“We hope that he will regain his eyesight after the third surgery. He as well as the entire family has suffered a lot,” said Bhat.
He said that the family which is running short of finances has so far spent over one lakh rupees on the surgeries and medicines.
Javaid said that the pellet injuries have affected his business as well.
“I have not started my business since the day I suffered pellet injuries,” he said.
Pertinently on August 13, three militants were killed in an encounter in Awneera village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
A civilian identified as Muhammad Sayeed, resident of Shirmal was also killed during the clashes and over 100 were injured.
KV Correspondent
