Day after eight policemen were severely thrashed by soldiers at Gund area in Ganderbal district, the General officer Commanding (GoC) of army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt General J S Sandhu on Sunday said the army and police always work like brothers-in-arms. He blamed “anti-national elements” for “creating a wedge” between the army and police.
“Efforts to create a wedge between army and police by anti-nationals won’t work. We are together, always working as brothers-in-arms,” the GoC wrote on his Twitter handle.
His remarks, however, triggered a huge debate on Twitter.
“Army chaps beat up cops and blame the anti-nationals. Army is known for discipline…Let the guilty be taken to task,” journalist Kamaljit Sandhu responded to GoC’s tweet.
Syed Waseem in his reaction wrote: “Your advocation (sic) to this statement means Kunanposhpora and Shopian like minor incidents were carried out by brothers-in-arms jointly?”
“After thrashing J&K policemen, some of your men told them, this is just a start, can you please elaborate?” wrote Sneha Koul.
Another Twitter user wrote: “Finally, the political Trojan has penetrated military corps. Sorry but your statement seems more political than military.”
A user under the tag name “Intolerant Indian”, wrote: “But the conduct was not proper, it must be checked.”
At least eight policemen, including two officers, were thrashed by soldiers at Gund, Ganderbal while ransacking the police station late on Saturday night. The incident took place after a verbal dual between policemen and soldiers at a check-point.
The soldiers were returning from Amarnath Yatra but were in civvies. The injured policemen were later hospitalised.
Director general of police S P Vaid had taken up the matter with GoC 15 Corps in Srinagar and lodged a strong protest over the incident. The GoC, according to Vaid, has ordered a Court of Inquiry and promised punishment to the erring soldiers.
