‘Army Did the Right Thing’: BJP MLA on Shopian Civilian Killings

The MLA also reportedly indicated that an FIR against the army would not work, as it “enjoys impunity under AFSPA”.

Srinagar tense on Sunday, January 28, after the Shopian incident. 

(Photo: IANS)

A day after two civilians were killed when a mob attacked a convoy of the Army in Kashmir's Shopian district and an FIR was lodged mentioning soldiers from a Garhwal unit as accused, a BJP MLA, Ravinder Raina, reacted to the incident, reportedly remarking, "The army did the right thing by opening fire".

According to a Greater Kashmir report, Raina - a legislator from Nowshera constituency - also indicated that an FIR against the army would not work, as it "enjoys impunity under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in J&K”.

He was quoted by the report as saying:

There is nothing like magisterial inquiry. Army enjoys impunity under AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, army has its own court...Lodge FIR as many as you want (sic)...police FIRs don’t work (against army).

BJP MLA Ravinder Raina, as per a Greater Kashmir report

Police sources said the FIR lodged under Sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code in Ganowpora village mentions a Major and others as those who opened fire on the civilians leaving two persons dead. A magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident by the state government.

Raina called the army's alleged act an "act of self-defence", one which was "as per law", and blamed Pakistan for trying to deteriorate the situation in the state, the report added.

Moreover, he also reportedly remarked that stone-pelters should be imprisoned, instead of being given amnesty.

Meanwhile, life across the Kashmir Valley was adversely affected on Sunday, 28 January, by a protest shutdown called by separatists against the killings.

(With inputs from IANS and Greater Kashmir)