Major Gogoi serving in counter insurgency operations in Kashmir has been awarded Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. The officer was recently in the news for having saved the lives of the staff on election duty from an unruly mob during the Srinagar Parliamentary elections. The officer is alleged to have used one of the stone pelters as ‘human shield’. “The Chief of Army staff commendation card is awarded by the Army Chief in recognition of the dedication to duty and consistent good performance by the personnel of Indian Army”, said Brig. Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party in a press statement released by the party. Brig Gupta further said that Major Gogoi has been rewarded for his continued good performance during his tenure in counter insurgency operations in Kashmir. However, since the award has been given after the alleged incident, it is but natural that performance of the officer under those adverse conditions has also been duly recognized. The entire nation is proud of him and congratulates him on being awarded.
Brig Gupta said that Major Gogoi displayed initiative, logical thinking, team spirit and tremendous presence of mind in handling that adverse situation as a result of which he managed to save more than a score of precious lives. By awarding Major Gogoi, the Army has sent a clear message to the young officers operating in counter insurgency/ counter terrorism operations that initiative and ingenuity displayed by field commanders will always be appreciated.
Coming down heavily upon those who have criticized this award, Brig Gupta said that these individuals have as a single point agenda of arousing anti-army sentiments. According to them the action of Major Gogoi is against the Constitution of India. Brig Gupta questioned them if the act of stone pelting or heckling the jawans while they are performing their duty is permitted by the constitution? Why do they remain mum and do not criticize the acts of stone pelting and throwing of petrol bombs on the security forces? Such people are double faced and are scared of raising their voice against the terrorists and their sympathizers. None of them condemned the brutal billing of Lt. Umar Fayaz, a local Kashmir young army officer, who was brutally murdered by the terrorists while on leave in his village, rued Brig Gupta
