CPI(M) slams Bipin Rawat over Human Shield row
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday slammed the Army Chief Bipin Rawat over the Kashmir human shield row.
The CPI (M) in its mouthpiece ‘People Democracy’ said the remarks made in an interview by the Army Chief of Staff General Bipin Rawat about dealing with civilian protestors in Kashmir exemplifies all that is wrong with the way the Modi Government is dealing with the situation there.
“Gen. Rawat stated in the interview that: “In fact, I wish these people instead of throwing stones at us, were firing weapons at us, then I would have been happy. Then I could do what I (want to do)”,” the article added.
“To taunt protestors to take up arms, so that the army could deal with them appropriately is a needless provocation and displays an attitude which is unbecoming of a senior army officer,” it said.
The editorial in the People’s Democracy alleged that General Rawat also defended the wrongful action of Major Nitin Gogoi who had tied a civilian in front of a jeep to act as a human shield and drove his convoy through a number of villages.
“The army chief had given a commendation to the officer even while an enquiry into the action was being held. Gen. Rawat justified the serious violation committed by Major Gogoi in the following words: “This is a proxy war ….It is played in a dirty way….That is where innovation comes. You fight a dirty war with innovation”,” it added.
The mouthpiece said the human shield episode is a shocking incident.
“The army chief of staff, by commending this act, has let down the high professional standards of the army. Some former serving generals of the army have decried the use of the civilian as a human shield. They have correctly pointed out that the army cannot treat its own people in such a manner,” it further said.
The mouthpiece said that General Rawat is reflecting the views of the Modi Government which seeks to suppress the people of Kashmir, who are voicing their political protest, through the sole reliance on the use of force.
“Unfortunately, the army chief is reflecting the views of the Modi government which seeks to suppress the people of Kashmir, who are voicing their political protest, through the sole reliance on the use of force. Not only the people of Kashmir but the army itself will suffer irreparable damage due to the government’s blind adherence to the use of coercive force against the civilian population,” it said.
KV Correspondent
