BJP demands Ashok Chakra for personnel who killed Burhan Wani

Jammu, Jul 31: BJP today demanded Ashok Chakra, the country's highest peacetime military decoration, for the soldiers who killed Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, saying he was a militant who had to die.

"Burhan Wani was a militant who had to die and the security personnel who killed him need commendation. The personnel should be awarded Ashok Chakra," former state BJP president and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Ashok Khajuria said here today. BJP's point of view to deal with militancy is clear that the one who picks up a gun to disintegrate the country has to be dealt with an iron fist, he said.

"Our viewpoint is clear, for us it is the message from Bhagwad Gita, BJP viewpoint is clear and we in no way support the policy of appeasement. "What I am saying is that Burhan wani was a militant and he met the end of a militant and security forces need to be appreciated for the same," Khajuria said.

BJP is a party of workers which does not work for a government. It is a movement which is led by the workers, he said. "Our mission is guided by the principles laid down by our senior leaders like Syama Prasad Mookerjee and others," Khajuria said.

Protests broke out across Kashmir Valley on July 9, a day after Wani was killed in the encounter. In the ensuing clashes between protesters and security forces, 49 persons, including two policemen, have been killed and over 5,500 others injured.

PTI