Blowing Gogoi Issue out of proportion

The issue of tying a stone-pelter on the bonnet of a Jeep by an army officer in an extremely volatile situation that could flare up into substantial deaths and destruction, seems not let subsided by some jobless political leaders in Kashmir and disgruntled leftists.

The issue is unnecessarily being stretched out of proportion for scoring political brownie point without realizing the intensity of the particular hostile situation in which the army officer opted for unpleasant action to rescue trapped 19 persons of polling staff including security guards posted at the polling station.

Going by the explanation given by Major Gogoi and spot information available, the Army officer after sensing eminent trouble and for the sake of rescuing local polling staff and security guards, decided to tie one of the stone-pelters knowing well that the miscreants mob would not pelt stones and petrol bombs on rescuing contingent, which they were otherwise indulging in relentlessly. Imagine, had he pushed through that violent situation, the end results would have done serious harm to the polling and security staff (19 persons) and possible causalities among the miscreants too in case the Army responded with firing.

Major Nitin Gogoi, in his explanation said he tied a “stone pelter” to the jeep to “save more lives”. “I did this (tie Farooq Dar on the bonnet of my jeep) to save more lives of the local people,” the 53 Rashtriya Rifles Major told reporters, a day after he was given the Army Chief's Commendation Card for “sustained efforts” in counter insurgency operations.

“If I had ordered firing then more casualties would have been there,” Gogoi said, recalling the events of April 9 during the by-election in Srinagar.

Defending his action, Maj. Gogoi said, “I have not fired a bullet, not beaten up anyone… there was no collateral damage. From my point of view, I have not violated anything… We are here to help the people. The army is here for common people, against those with weapons and those who fight against the nation.”

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad very aptly responded to the opposition criticism: “One should not forget that he saved 19 lives. And the Opposition who is raising questions, I would like to ask them to explain why they are silent over Lt. Ummer Fayaz incident. This is a dual mindset. It is not right to be silent over the martyrdom of patriotic people and killings of innocent people.” Few political parties were left irked with the Indian Army's decision, citing that Major Gogoi's measures against stone-pelters would only aggravate the situation in the Valley.”

One should also not forget that this was a unique and a stand-alone incident in the entire history of anti-militancy operation against any hostile mob and not a general characteristic of armed forces in Kashmir or elsewhere.

But for those who have double standards, this bloodless strategic move to save lives seems indigestible as they have burning appetite for blood spilling for vested interest. For them the human rights are the sole monopoly for a section of society.