Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, women’s wing today carried out a protest rally against the Indian Army’s decision of rewarding Major Leetul Gogoi, who tied up a civilian to a jeep as a human shield during polls on April 9 in district Budgam.
Scores of women wing activists of NC assembled at office headquarter Nawe- Subah from where they marched towards radio colony. Protesters were stopped by the police near the radio station.
Shamima Firdaus on the occasion said that “I think the state government has decided to kill everyone who raises their voice,” she added amid chants against the Indian Army.
Shamima added that there is no sense of security in the Valley, asserting that people have no right to dissent. They also protests against the use of force against students and human rights violations in Kashmir Valley.
Major Leetul Gogoi, who tied up a civilian, Farooq Ahmad Dar, on his jeep’s bonnet as a shield to prevent mobs from attacking said he had caught Dar on realising he was instigating a group of stone-pelters and could have been their leader.
Defending his action, the Army Major told the media, “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 nation.”
The officer was awarded by Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) Commendation Card for his sustained distinguished service in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Major Gogoi was in the spotlight after a video shot during the April 9 Srinagar Lok Sabha by-polls, posted on the social media, showed a man tied on the bonnet of an Army jeep in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam.