NEW DELHI: In remarks that may interest supporters of international humanitarian covenants, India’s Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has disapproved of growing criticism of a human shield the army used in Indian Kashmir to thwart stone-pelting protesters recently, NDTV said on Monday.
“The recent report about a stone pelter tied to an Army vehicle, it helped contain stone pelters and saved the poll officials. Why so much noise,” Mr Rohatgi said to NDTV on Monday.
“Everyday people are dying. It’s a surcharged atmosphere. The Army is dealing with terrorists not with protesters, so they will have to be dealt with...everyone should look at the Army with pride, they are doing a great job.”
The Jammu and Kashmir police have filed a First Information Report or FIR against the army for the incident after a video surfaced, drawing huge criticism. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti sought a detailed report from the state police and the Army too began an internal investigation into the incident. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said he will look into it.
Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2017
