Kashmir ‘human shield’ row: State rights panel order govt to pay Dar Rs 10 lakh

Kashmiri weaver Farooq Ahmed Dar was tied to the bonnet of an army jeep on Srinagar polling day to allegedly protect Election commission officials against protestors.

The Jammu and Kashmir human rights commission on Monday asked the state government to pay compensation of Rs 10 lakh to Farooq Ahmad Dar, a weaver who was used as a ‘human shield’ by an army major.

Screengrab of a video showing Farooq Ahmed Dar tied to a jeep as a ‘human shield’ against protesters.The video had triggered outrage in Kashmir. (Twitter/Omar Abdullah)

The rights panel has given the state six weeks to pay the compensation. It has also asked the chief secretary to file a ‘compliance report in the matter’ within the same time.

“The state government should provide Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victim, Farooq Ahmad Dar,” said the rights panel.