Lodged pellets remain 'part of body' for Parliament march injured

Two weeks after at least four protesters sustained pellet injuries during the July 20 protest march to Parliament, some pellets remain lodged in their bodies. Doctors have removed only those that pose a greater risk if left inside, according to medical personnel and the injured.

Prashant Kumar Singh, a 25-year-old artist who was among the protesters injured by pellets, was discharged from hospital on Tuesday after undergoing surgery to remove multiple pellets. Recalling the incident, Mr. Singh said that when the lathi charge began, the crowd was pushed towards Connaught Place. "There was a sudden shock to my body and then I realised that blood was dripping from my arm," he said.

He added that doctors initially treated his wounds and advised against surgery. After seeking a third medical opinion, he underwent the procedure at Holy Family Hospital on Monday. Around 15 pellets were lodged in his body, causing multiple injuries to his arm, forearm and chest. Last week, Mr. Singh had said he was unable to work on his artwork because the injuries were on his right hand.

A hospital source said, "The pellets have been retained and will be handed over to the police in a sealed container as part of the medico-legal case procedure." Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student at Delhi University's School of Open Learning, has undergone a similar surgery on his right eye.

According to a general diary entry filed at the Parliament Street police station at 1.24 a.m. on July 22, the Rapid Action Force fired two rounds from an anti-riot gun on the directions of an officer of the Deputy Commissioner of Police rank during the march called by the Cockroach Janta Party. The march was demanding the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.

Shaikh Irshad Mansoori, 25, has undergone four surgeries and had seven pellets removed. He said there was no estimate of the number of pellets that remain lodged in his body. "According to the doctors, the pellets are now part of my body. They will eventually get covered by muscles," he said.

Another injured person, a journalist, said he had been advised against surgery as the 30 pellets lodged in his body were not close to any vital organs.

Doctors familiar with the cases said the decision to remove a pellet depends on the amount of pain it causes, how deeply it is embedded and how close it is to a vital organ. "Some are not taken out because they are too deeply embedded but not close to vital organs. Removing them could require cutting or damaging tissue, even though they may not cause significant harm," a doctor said, requesting anonymity.

In the long term, the victims have been advised to undergo periodic X-rays and medical check-ups. The doctor added, "The chances of harm depend on where the pellet is located, as it should not migrate to a vital organ or a blood vessel." The doctor also said pellets are unlikely to cause infections because they are extremely hot when fired, making them nearly sterile. However, infections are possible if pellets remain close to the surface of the skin.