Kashmiri pellet survivor who lost eyesight in 2016 gets Rs 41 lakh relief

The Jammu and Kashmir government has cleared Rs 41.16 lakh to complete Insha Mushtaq's pending LPG distributorship. The move ends a long wait in her rehabilitation case as she renews her call for a ban on pellet guns.Pellet guns were extensively used by security forces during the 2016 unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. (Credits: File Photo)The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the release of Rs 41.16 lakh to complete the long-pending LPG distributorship sanctioned in favour of Insha Mushtaq, who lost her eyesight after being hit by pellet gun fire during the 2016 unrest in Kashmir.The decision was announced by Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Satish Sharma, who said the rehabilitation measure, approved in 2018, had remained incomplete because the balance funds were never released.Sharing the development on X, Sharma wrote, "Justice delayed but not denied. Insha Mushtaq lost her eyesight to pellets in 2016. Her LPG distributorship was sanctioned in 2018 but left incomplete. Under HCM Omar Abdullah, we've approved the release of the Rs 41.16 lakh balance to finally take this case to its logical conclusion." (Credits: X/Satish Sharma) LPG DISTRIBUTORSHIP A PART OF REHABILITATIONThe LPG distributorship was sanctioned as part of Insha's rehabilitation following the injuries she suffered during the 2016 unrest. However, despite the approval, the project remained stalled for several years due to the non-release of the remaining funds. The latest government approval is expected to facilitate its completion. Reacting to the decision, Insha Mushtaq welcomed the government's move and expressed gratitude to everyone who had supported her over the years. She said the release of funds had brought renewed hope after a prolonged wait and thanked those who stood by her throughout her struggle.URGES PELLET BAN NATIONWIDEWhile welcoming the relief, Insha also renewed her appeal for a nationwide ban on pellet guns, saying no one else should have to endure the suffering she experienced. She urged authorities to prohibit the use of pellet guns across the country, arguing that such weapons leave victims with lifelong physical and emotional trauma. She said the government's decision had given her hope, but added that preventing similar tragedies should remain a priority.Pellet guns were extensively used by security forces during the 2016 unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, with many people suffering serious eye injuries and permanent vision loss. Their use has remained a subject of debate, with rights groups and victims repeatedly calling for stricter regulation or an outright ban.The latest decision to complete Insha Mushtaq's rehabilitation package marks the end of a years-long wait, while her renewed appeal has once again brought the debate over the use of pellet guns into focus.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 19:15 IST