Srinagar, Feb 12: An 18-year-old boy from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district lost his eye after a teargas shell hit him during protests on February 9, when Afzal Guru was hanged.
 Tariq Ahmad Gojri of Khanpora was hit by a teargas canister on his face at Khanpora market where he had gone to fetch some essentials. “I lost vision in my right eye. Everything appears black to me when I attempt to see from this eye,” he told Greater Kashmir.
 “I was not part of the protests at Khanpora market. Some teargas shells were suddenly hit towards the protesters, triggering panic in the area. I also received a shell in my face,” he said.
 Gojri, a labourer, is one of two bread-winners of a family of nine persons. “I lost everything. I won’t be able to do anything now,” he lamented. He said police used force against the peaceful protesters.
 A doctor treating him said the impact of the teargas canister on the victim’s eye is “very serious”.
 “There is a damage to the interior chamber of his eyes; his iris has been damaged and there is a blood clot behind retina,” said the doctor.
 The doctor said Gojri’s blindness may be permanent and in six months, if his condition does not improve, he will be certified as “legally blind.”

Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST