Army officer who tied youth to jeep in Kashmir gets clean chit; praised by court

[Stephen Cohen]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...vilian-to-jeep-given-clean-chit/1/953946.html
Major who tied Kashmiri civilian to jeep given clean chit, Army brass believes he saved lives

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Major Nitin Gogoi who raised a huge controversy after tying a civilian to an Army jeep has been given a clean cheat by a court of inquiry convened over the issue

HIGHLIGHTS

• 1
  Army CoI clears Major who tied civilian to jeep.
  
  
• 2
  Major's action caused a national controversy.
  
  
• 3
  Army brass believes the officer's actions saved lives.
  

The court of inquiry (CoI) convened by the Army in Jammu Kashmir has given a clean chit to a Major who tied a civilian to an Army jeep's bonnet.

Following furore, the Army had convened a CoI on April 15, two days after an FIR was filed by J&K Police into the incident, allegedly involving a Major from 53 Rashtriya Rifles.

No action has been recommended against the Major. A source said, "Court martial is out of the question. Not even disciplinary action was recommended against the officer."

Sources say the five-vehicle convoy led by the Major had soldiers, 12 poll officials, nine ITBP men and two policemen. The major had reportedly come up with the idea to escape stone-pelting mobs during the by-election to Srinagar. Separatists and militant groups had asked youths to disrupt the elections.

BRASS BELIEVES HE SAVED LIVES

Highly placed sources say that the inquiry has given a clean chit to the major in question - Nitin Gogoi. A source told MAIL TODAY that contrary to the hue and cry generated by the clipping on social media, senior army officers had appreciated the presence of mind of the officer to avoid casualties or injuries.

The source said, "He was congratulated for his acumen and presence of mind that saved many lives."

Senior Army officers are reportedly of the view that it was 'one-off incident that was blown out of proportion'. Another source said, "In the Army, attaining the objective is more important. The means used by the officer could have been different, but the objective was perfectly met."

Sources said the officer is of an ACC background. The Army Cadet College wing trains soldiers from the regular Army, Navy and Air Force for commission as officers in the Indian Army.

The officer has risen from the ranks, and is said to have close to a decade experience. The April 9 incident, which occurred in Budgam, involved troops from 53 Rashtriya Rifles who tied up one Farooq Ahmad Dar on their jeep's bonnet as a 'human shield'.

'NOT A STONE-PELTER'

Though Army sources said Dar was a stone-pelter, the latter said he was returning home after casting his vote when jawans picked him up.

The jeep, the video showed, was the leading vehicle of a convoy. Omar Abdullah tweeted the visuals demanding a CoI.

Sources said the CoI was headed by an officer of the rank of Colonel. The CoI was a fact-finding mission where the Army had also called Dar to record his statement.

Dar, who claimed that he had gone out to vote, had told before the media that he received internal injuries. He claimed he was not a stone-pelter. However, after he was tied to the jeep, the convoy was able to pass safely.

 

[Maler]

What the heck, why name of major given to media!!!

 

[Icarus]

A bit humiliating for the guy tied but since no one was hurt its a good outcome.

It was a very "colonial" way of securing a "good outcome".

 

[Ajaxpaul]

It was a bit extremely but, effective.

The pic might become iconic like after 50 years. Positive or negative.

 

[Dhara]

Shielding himself by a civilian considered saving lives, what a bullshit is this. I hate my services as Indian Army officer but never imagine that forces stoop two low to save their own *** in Kashmir against popular freedom struggle.
Kashmir now a lost case if not days but few years more, no power on earth stop Kashmir to get independence, Ball is now in Indian court either they end this in a bloody way or choose the correct course of plebiscite.

 

[Hellfire]

It was a very "colonial" way of securing a "good outcome".

And what is the non-colonial way? Air assaults in your towns and villages?

Interesting take there CT expert!

@MilSpec Did you ever get any DS pamphlet on colonial and non-colonial way of Military Operations? Or is it something that was 'lost' to us when the Staff College of British Indian Army located at Quetta was inaccessible after partition?

 

[Dhara]

First you should change your flags and then say anything that you want

Why hide behind Indian Flag

Ask admins to change my flag to Khalistan or keep crying.

 

[Dhara]

You are/were an officer in the Indian Army?

Check my posts I introduce myself many times, I was I.A officer.

Basically a proxy

If true, Love to be against Indian regime.

 

[third eye]

It was a very "colonial" way of securing a "good outcome".

But workable.

All parties went home safe n sound . Good junior leadership .

 

[Dhara]

Basically a proxy. Part of Info war. Nod and ignore.

This post made my day.
@Icarus

 

[Hellfire]

But workable.

All parties went home safe n sound . Good junior leadership .

Gogoi was given a commendation card long back .... for this act @nair you recall this?

 

[Stephen Cohen]

It was a very "colonial" way of securing a "good outcome".

If the major had ordered Fire to be opened ; at least 20 people
would have died

The mob was around five hundreds in number

They were taken aback and were un able to react
giving the convoy the time to come out of the difficult situation

Ask admins to change my flag to Khalistan or keep crying.

You can put Pakistani flag or Canadian Flag

There is a Khalistan in Canada

 

[Dhara]

There is a Khalistan in Canada

And there will be a Khalistan neighboring India and Pakistan.

You have no authority over me to advise me, I will change my flag when Khalistan flag added by Admins.

 

[Dhara]

You have my sympathies if such a lousy post by me made your day. Guess does not take much to cheer you in your mundane life?

Your sympathies should be with innocent Kashmiris and farmers who are committing suicides.
Women are being raped on roads while Gau-Rakshak and sang parivar busy in saving Cows instead of their women, you should systematize to all those.

I am feeling pity on you people despite you now Major did the wrong thing and should be punished, you people are trying hard to prove him Desh-Bakht, Shame Shame if you feel?