New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today skirted any direct reply on the highly controversial 'human shield' episode in Jammu and Kashmir and said while he understood everything, he avoids speaking out on some of them. However, answering a question, Mr Singh gave approval to the remarks from his cabinet colleague M Venkaiah Naidu on the same issue.
"Samajhtha hoon, bolta nahi (I understand everything, but do not speak out)," Mr Singh told a press conference even. Asked why he is avoiding a direct reply on the high-profile issue, Home Minister said, "at times there are also third option to some questions". To a pointed question on what he would say on the remarks of Union Information Minister Mr Naidu, who had supported the army on the 'human shield' approach, Rajnath Singh said, "what Venkaiah has said is correct".
The 'human shield' approach adopted by Army during a movement in Srinagar last month has sparked off a major row when Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat favoured deployment of 'human shield' deployed by some security force personnel during an election duty and had said that the troops need innovative ways to fight the 'dirty war' in Jammu and Kashmir.
For his part, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said in a tweet: "Totally agree with Indian Army chief's statement that the dirty war in Jammu and Kashmir calls for innovation". Another Union Minister Babul Surpiyo also had backed the Army chief on the same. Army chief Gen Rawat has been quoted as stating that: "You fight a dirty war with innovations" ".....proxy war is a dirty war.
It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war.... That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Gen Rawat has been quoted in the media. Maj Leetul Gogoi, who had tied a civilian to an Army jeep's bonnet, during movement of a poll-related security contingent in Jammu and Kashmir has been also awarded with the Chief of Armed Staff Commendation certificate for his role in counter insurgency operations.
The controversy of 'human shield' had erupted when the five-vehicle convoy led by Major Gogoi comprising 12 poll officials and nine ITBP men and two policemen were moving in Kashmir on election duty. By-elections in Srinagar saw very low turnout of voters. Among others, Congress leader and Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, a former Army man himself, had also applauded Major Gogoi. (UNI)