SHILLONG: Governor Tathagata Roy on Sunday glorified Major Leetul Gogoi, the army officer who was in the midst of controversy for using human shield against stone-pelters in Jammu and Kashmir last year, saying what he did was for “self-defence” and it was not a wrongdoing.
Roy, who was addressing a gathering at a function organised by Rilbong Durga Puja Committee to remember the armed forces at Rilbong ground to honour the armed forces of the country, said Gogoi did not break any law because “no law in the country forbids one from tying a person to the bonnet of a jeep”.
In April 2017, Gogoi, who was posted with the 53 Rashtriya Rifles (Punjab Regiment) at Beerwa in Budgam district, tied civilian Farooq Ahmad Dar to his jeep to protect security personnel and poll officials from stone-pelting youths.
The incident had led to nationwide outrage among civilians and activists but instead of court martial, Gogoi was commended by the army, which is cushioned by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or the infamous AFSPA.
Referring to this incident, the governor said he was aghast at the manner Gogoi was blamed for doing his duty. “What harm did he (Gogoi) do? He did not beat him up. He did not break the law. He was acting ins self-defence,” he added.
Taking up another controversial issue, the implementation of AFSPA, Roy criticised “those who sit comfortably in Lutyens Hill” and speak against the act. “AFSPA is not implemented for fun. It is done when it is absolutely necessary,” Roy said.
Some insurgency-affected parts of the North East are still under AFSPA.
Roy also said there should be a balance between the political leadership and the men in uniform and the latter should be given necessary liberty for greater good of the country. He cautioned that too much political meddling in matters of national security may lead to disastrous consequences.
Saluting the soldiers for braving inclement weather and bullets to safeguard the civilian society, Roy denounced critiques of AFSPA and the armed forces and urged the public to flood social media with messages against such criticisms so that they are silenced.
Among other speakers at the programme were Patricia Mukhim, editor of The Shillong Times, DGP R P Agarwal and CRPF DG Prakash D.
The function started with the national anthem and welcome address by former MLA and president of the puja committee Manas Chaudhuri followed by performances of patriotic songs, Khasi dance by the troupe of Silbi Passah and dancers of Gitanjali Dance Academy. The attraction of the day was performance by BSF music band.
