Will jawans have to seek Election Commission permission to kill terrorists: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hit out at his critics saying whether jawans would have to take permission from the Election Commission before firing at terrorists.

Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar and referring to the Shopian encounter in which two militants were killed in Jammu and Kashmir today morning, PM Modi said, “Some people are worried as to why did Modi kill the terrorists when voting is underway in parts of the country? When an armed terrorist is attacking, will my jawan go to the polling authorities and seek their permission to kill him? Opposition kya khel bana rakha hai? (What drama is the opposition enacting)”

In both Kushinagar and at an another rally in Deoria, he said it was surprising that opposition parties were saying that elections were on and the security forces were opening fire on militants.

“In the morning when reports and news come, I learn that terrorists have been gunned down in Kashmir. Since, we have come to power every second-third day, terrorists are killed. This safai abhiyaan is my work,” he said.

Modi asked those gathered if they liked the fact that the Indian Army “was sneaking into the enemy’s territory and attacking them”. “It is because of this [actions against terrorists] that people are voting for the lotus symbol,” Modi said. “The nation is voting for the lotus to ensure that those who jail people chanting [Hindu deity] Ram’s name are punished.”

The prime minister said he was born into poverty. “I was raised in poverty,” Modi said. “I consider myself blessed because I washed the feet of poor people during the Kumbh mela and the feet of sanitation workers.”

PM Modi also predicted defeat of the opposition parties, saying the people were voting for an effective government. “Opposition parties will fall flat in Lok Sabha polls. This is because people are voting for an effective and honest government.”