File FIR against the mob that pelted stones on Army unit

 

From the President’s Desk

Dear community members,

Namaskar,

A first information report needs to be filed against those stone-pelting youths, who attacked an army convoy, on duty, in the Shopian area of Kashmir, on January 27 last. Some army men got injured, vehicles got damaged and three youths lost their lives as a result of this unprovoked violence by the youths. The incident brings to my memory January of 1990 when militants and their supporters forced Kashmiri Pandits flee their homes and hearths. Onlookers, standing on the two sides of the roads through which the terrified KPs were passing, would shout: Asigachhiaasun Pakistan; Batav bagair, Bataneo saan (We demand Pakistan, without Pandits, but along their womenfolk)

It is pragmatic of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to have described, in the State Assembly, on February 3 last, the Army as the “most disciplined force.” She made an important point when she said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the state needs to be continued. She said: “The situation, on the ground, does not allow for the revocation of AFSPA.” She justified her stand by saying: Earlier, militant sympathizers would “run five kilometers away from the spot of an encounter between terrorists and security forces, but now they rush towards the encounter site to disrupt the operation against the militants.” She asked the House: “Is the situation feasible, in such conditions, to revoke AFSPA?

 

The C. M. assured the House that maximum restraint was being exercised in dealing with the situation and pellet guns were being used as a last resort. She questioned the tendency of separatists to use mosques for political purposes. In her words: “Sometime, somehow, somewhere they (separatists) have to explain how long they can continue to drive youth to violent paths. In the end, dialogue is the only option.”

Being pained on the manner stone-pelting mobs are attacking non-provoking Army personnel two children of the Indian Army have approached the National Human Rights Commission to see to it that the personnel, involved in defending the country, also, is provided rights guaranteed by our Constitution. They say in their petition: “The Army has been deployed in J & K since the state machinery was incapable of handling the law and order situation, but the irony is that the very administration, which the army seeks to assist and support, has failed to safeguard their human rights.

“Do personnel of the armed forces, facing grave and serious violations of human rights, not deserve the attention and empathy of the custodians of human rights? As young Indians and citizens of this great country, especially as children of army personnel, we are concerned about the state of affairs of the troops serving in disturbed areas. As young Indians and citizens of this great country, especially as children of army personnel, we are concerned about the state of affairs of the troops serving in disturbed areas.”

Referring to the Shopian incident of the army men firing in self-defence, they ask why no FIR was registered against those who pelted stones.

As a nationalist, I agree with the contention of the children of the army personnel. The working conditions of the army personnel, in the State, are difficult. There were 860 ceasefire violations, along the LoC and another 120 along the International Border in 2017. This is the highest-ever such tally in over 15 years. In the first 36 days of the current year, there have been 241 cease-fires violations across LoC, which claimed lives of nine Indian army men. The atmosphere has been vitiated by the strategy of the Pak Army to send terrorists across to carry out IED blasts, mutilate Indian soldiers and attack garrisons.

DISCLAIMER:    

The views expressed in the Article above are Vijay Raina’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.                                                     

 Courtesy:  Vijay Raina and  Koshur Samachar:   February, 2018