Srinagar, Nov 5: Bashir Ahmad Ganai of Budgam is just another victim of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir. But his tragic tale is different.
 On September 13, when thousands of people registered their protest against the alleged burning of Qur’an in the US at Humhama in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, a bullet fired by forces hit his left leg. Bashir’s knee was fractured leaving doctors with no option but to amputate his leg. Though 21-year-old Bashir is stable now but he has to walk the remaining miles of his life on crutches.
 There are other persons whose limbs have been amputated after being hit by bullets during present unrest.
 The leg of 19-year-old Sajad Ahmad Pandith of Sheikhpora Budgam was amputated at SKIMS. A 1st-year college student, Sajad was injured when forces opened fire on people protesting against the alleged desecration of   Qur’an at Humhama. He was hit by a bullet in his groin.
 “His injury was grave. Amputation was the last tool to be used to save his life but that also didn’t work,” said a senior doctor in SKIMS.
 Bashir’s father Abdul Gani Ganai also cared for Sajad in the hospital. After Sajad’s death, Gani is broken. He is restless and roaming from one patient to another in Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgeries ward seeking prayers for long life of his son.
 He has managed 14 pints of blood for his son till date. “I will give up my life for the survival of my son. My life stands on his survival,” Gani said.
 Twenty-year-old Mudasir Ahmad son of Muhammad Asadullah of Chanapora Srinagar is victim of brutal use of force. A senior doctor at Bone and Joints Hospital here said they have amputated his foot to prevent spread of infection. “But there is a possibility that Mudasir may need amputation of leg at a later stage to prevent the spread of infection in his body,” he said.
 On August 10, Mudasir received a bullet in his foot in forces firing during protests against the continuous killings of youth.
 Mudasir was part of a protest staged in response to Hurriyat Conference (G) call of offering prayers on roads.
 Another youth, 22-year-old Jan Muhammad Dar son of Ghulam Din Dar of Budgam, has to spend the rest of his life on a wheel chair. Jan is the only son in his family. On July 16, he received a bullet in his right leg which was later amputated.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 6 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST