Justifying the army firing in Shopian that left two protesters dead and another critically wounded yesterday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ravinder Raina on Sunday said that “army did the right thing” by opening fire.
Raina, who represents Nowshera in the legislative assembly, also dared the police to register “as many FIRs as you want” as army enjoys the impunity under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
“There is nothing like magisterial enquiry. Army enjoys impunity under AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, army has its own court…lodge FIR as many as you want… police FIRs don’t work (against army), ” he boasted.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of an army function in Nowshera, the legislator said: “What army did was an act of self defence, for the security of the nation and as per law…it was extremely important and much needed…this was very important…army did the right thing.”
Raina said that Pakistan was trying to fuel violence in Jammu and Kashmir. “Pakistan is making repeated attempts to worsen the situation in Jammu and Kashmir…attempts are being made to snatch the weapons of our soldiers…attacks are being carried out on our soldiers…soldiers are being injured…vehicles of our soldiers were damaged…in such circumstances our soldiers won’t worship them,” he said.
He also lashed out the amnesty scheme announced by the government for stone-pelters in the state.
“Will single out all of them (stone-pelters) and put them behind bars.. there is nothing like amnesty…they will learn a lesson,” he said.