A 19-year-old student, Sahil Lochab, is battling to save the vision in his right eye after suffering a pellet injury during the July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Nineteen-year-old Sahil Lochab was waving the national flag at the Jantar Mantar protest when a pellet struck his right eye. Within moments, blood streamed down his face, staining his white shirt. He was taken to Lady Hardinge Medical College before being referred to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where doctors are battling to save his vision.A senior doctor at AIIMS Delhi, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Sahil has suffered a pellet injury. “A pellet injury to the eye is considered a medical emergency and can cause catastrophic damage, including a ruptured eyeball, internal bleeding, retinal detachment, cataracts and traumatic optic neuropathy. In many cases, pellets become lodged inside the eye or orbit, requiring complex microsurgical procedures.” he said.Delhi police have said they do not possess pellet guns and do not use them. However, paramilitary forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised 15-battalion wing of India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were deployed during the July 20 protest.Sitting outside the surgery ward, his mother, Jyoti, struggles to come to terms with the prognosis. “The pellet entered his eye and ruptured the pupil. Doctors have told us there is only a one percent chance that vision in his right eye can be restored,” she said.
