New Delhi:
Amid the ongoing tension in Kashmir following the clashes between security forces and stone-pelters, a BJP minister has made controversial remarks that may further escalate the row.
BJP’s Chandra Prakash Ganga, a senior minister in the J&K coalition government, has said that the only way to deal with the youths involved in stone-pelting in Kashmir is bullets.
“They are traitors, whether they have come from Pakistan or live here. There is only one remedy for them and that is bullets. And if not bullets, they should be handed over such a punishment like the youth who are beaten with sticks by forces. Take my word that next time they (the youth) won’t throw stones,” the minister is could be seen making this statement in a video clip that has gone viral on social media.
His remarks come at a time when there is already an outrage in Kashmir over a video clip in which a youth is seen tied to an army vehicle as a ‘human shield’ against stone-pelting.
Several videos have been doing rounds on social media over the past week showing Kashmiri youth being beaten up by forces. Also, a video showing army jawan being heckled by a group of men emerged last week.
“Did you see the video in which the youth are raising anti-Pakistan slogans?” asks the Minister in the video clip. “Laatoon kay boot baatooun sey nahi mantay…inka ilaaj jotay hai. Till these people are handled in a right way they won’t give up their evil acts. Once they are taught a lesson only then will they fall in line,” the Minister says.
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The video has surfaced at a time when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is drawing flak over the deteriorating situation in Kashmir.
“From what do they (youth) want Aazadi? They should be taught a lesson,” the Minister said in the video.
