I appreciate Major Gogoi's action: Amit Shah on J&K man used as human shield

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said today that he supported the decision of an Army major to tie a man to a jeep as a "shield" against stone-pelters in Kashmir.

Responding to a question on the action of Major Leetul Gogoi, he said the Army officer's action had helped polling officials and policemen escape unhurt.

The major allegedly tied the man to the bonnet of a jeep on the day of bypolls to the Srinagar parliamentary constituency on April 9, apparently in a bid to deter stone-pelters.

"I appreciate it and also support it," Shah told a press conference here on the completion of three years of the Modi government.

Asked whether he would want the Major to be awarded for his action, the BJP chief said there is a process involved in honouring people. "He has already been awarded by the Army chief," Shah said.

Major Gogoi was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card.

Commenting on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been monitoring the situation minutely and the government would find a solution.