ISLAMABAD: Former leader of opposition and President of Punjabi Ekta Party(PEP), Sukhpal Singh Khaira, has said that the Indian army and forces’personnel are involved in excesses like rape and fake encounters in Kashmir.
Reacting to the Pulwama blast, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, in his remarks onFacebook, said there were some legitimate grievances of Kashmiris, whichneeded to be addressed, reported The Indian Express.
“Whenever there is a war-like situation, it takes two to clap. Our army hasalso been accused of committing excesses in Kashmir.
There have been reports of rapes. Recently, there was an incident where anofficer, Major Gogoi, tied up a man in front of his jeep to prevent stonepelting. Even an animal is not given such treatment,” Khaira said.
He also attacked Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, for defendingthe actions of Major Gogoi. “There are some issues, which are indefensibleand it is sad that Amarinder wrote articles defending Gogoi,” Khaira toldThe Indian Express.
Khaira said there had also been accusations of the fake encounter onsecurity forces. “There are allegations that people have been killed incold blood in fake encounters. Not all have faced such accusations, butsome have definitely,” he added.
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The PEP leader, who is also an MLA from Bholath and whose membership is nowunder challenge after he resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party, also raised theissue of accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India.
“When the then Maharaja of Kashmir decided to accede to India, the decisionwas not as per liking of the vast majority of Kashmiris,” he said, addingthat the issue must be solved through talks. “As far as possible, thedemands of Kashmiris should be met.”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Khaira defended his comments: “I have notsaid anything wrong. There have been court-martials of Army personnel onthese allegations. I have said that the misgivings with Kashmiris should beremoved.”