I was Corps Commander in Kashmir and had gone to meet some of our soldiers and officers wounded in operations there. In the biggest hostage situation during my tenure as Corps Commander in Kashmir, terrorists had occupied the Skill Development Centre, a six-storeyed building in Pampore, on the outskirts of Srinagar. While there is a raging debate on whether AFSPA is being too harsh and draconian, there is scarcely any concern about the human rights of soldiers. The apex court admitted their plea on the grounds that army personnel are being “persecuted” and proceeded against for performing duties in disturbed areas. Should officers and soldiers have to knock the gates of justice individually to do what are their bonafide duties?

Source: dna May 02, 2019 01:40 UTC