BJP MP DP Vats (Photo: ANI)

NEW DELHI: BJP MP DP Vats said that instead of cases being withdrawn against stone-pelters in Kashmir, they "should be shot dead", reported ANI news agency.

"I read about the withdrawal of cases against stone-pelters but I think those pelting stones should be shot dead" said Vats, a Rajya Sabha MP, on Saturday, according to ANI.

Vats is referring to Kashmir's PDP-BJP government in February deciding to withdraw FIRs against nearly 10,000 people booked for stone-pelting.

The BJP MP's comment came mere days after Union home minister Rajnath Singh said cases against first-time stone-pelters were withdrawn as "children make mistakes" and their future shouldn't be put in jeopardy.

"We decided to withdraw FIRs against 10,000 youths involved in first-time stone-pelting for the sake of their future," said Rajnath on Thursday while on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir .

However, also last week, the Centre told the National Human Rights Commission that the Jammu & Kashmir government's decision to withdraw FIRs against stone-pelters would demoralise security forces and embolden militants to use civilians as human shields for their terror activities.

"It is the duty of the state government to take strong action against stone-pelters and provocateurs to safeguard the human rights of members of the armed forces operating in Jammu & Kashmir," said the Centre.

The Centre's submission was in response to a petition filed by children of two serving and one retired army official who questioned the decision to withdraw cases against stone-pelters.

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