29th Aug 2018 09:08:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

 
Remember Major Leetul Gogoi! He is the major who tied a local Kashmiri youth on the bonnet of his jeep to escape from a stone as ‘human shield’ during last year’s by-elections to the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency. He was hailed a hero by the ‘Activist Anchors’ of 24X7 prime time ‘chattering show.’ He was later given a commendation by the Army top boss. But he proved to be a run of the mill soldier with all weaknesses and arrogance inherent when they operate on soils having AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act) where their actions are not questioned. It is happening even now in Jammu and Kashmir, it happened in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, etc. The immunity bestowed upon them by the AFSPA made them unthinking mules and act in a manner unbecoming of a modern army man.
Now,  Gogoi is back in news. His iniquities have been laid bare after the incident involving a local Kashmiri woman whom he threatened and cajoled to have an affair with him and caught in a Srinagar Hotel following an altercation with the hotel staff. A  court of inquiry set up by the Army has found him guilty on many counts though all that will not be told to us. He has been found prima facie guilty of “fraternising with locals” in violation of laid-down procedure, and, importantly, for “being absent from duty in an operational area” by a Court of Inquiry.  
The Army is also facing another dilemma created by its own men who operated in areas where AFSPA was in effect and many of whom are as guilty as Gogoi. Nearly 350 soldiers have moved the Supreme Court, seeking protection against inquiries of counter-insurgency operations carried out in various parts of the country, in particular, Manipur. The apex court is hearing a case that alleges extra-judicial killings during counter-insurgency operations. It appears that the soldiers who have moved the court believe that no inquiries can be conducted when counter-insurgency operations are carried out under the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). Such a belief is not only erroneous but dangerous.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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