There is politics over the Indian Army’s decision to award Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi, who tied a Jammu and Kashmir civilian to his jeep and paraded him to avoid stone pelting. Janata Dal United leader Sharad Yadav has come out against the decision saying, “Even before the probe in the case is complete, such an act by the government will further aggravate the Kashmir situation,” Yadav said.
“Situation in Kashmir is critical. Any step should have been taken after findings of the probe,” he added.
The Indian Army Major, Gogoi, has stirred the controversy by using a civilian in Kashmir as a human shield, has been awarded by Army chief General Bipin Rawat. Gogoi had tied a civilian on his jeep’s bonnet as a ‘human shield’ to rescue over a dozen security and election personnel from a stone-pelting mob in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
The decision of awarding the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card to Gogoi is being seen as a deliberate statement of intent by the government and the Army about hard-headed approach towards dealing with the worsening conditions in Kashmir.
Even, NC spokesperson Junaid Mattoo spoke out against the BJP and the Army saying that they should have waited for the investigation to be completed. CPI leader D Raja also said, “It is a very provocative action, this will further lead to alienation of people and deterioration of situation in J&K.”
However, Jammu and Kashmir police Tuesday said that investigation would continue against Major Leetul Gogoi in “human shield” case.
“The FIR has been lodged and the investigation is going on (in the human shield case.) Whatever will be the outcome of the investigation is a separate question, but FIR will not be quashed even if the Major has been awarded,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Muneer Khan told reporters when asked whether police would continue the investigation in view of awarding of the accused.
“Once an FIR is lodged, the investigation has to be completed. The investigation will be done and its result will be shared,” Mr Khan added.
Whatever comes out in the investigation is a separate matter, he said, “but it will take place and it will be seen what is right and what is wrong”.
