The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in Jammu & Kashmir on Monday directed the State Government to provide an amount of Rs 10 lakh as compensation to Farooq Ahmad Dar who was allegedly used as human shield by the Army in April last.
SHRC Chairman Justice Bilal Nazki, while disposing of the matter directed the Government to pay the compensation to the victim within six weeks. He also directed the State Chief Secretary to file compliance report in the matter within the same period.
The SHRC, however, has not passed any directions to the Army in the case, saying that the Commission doesn’t have jurisdiction over the Army.
Farooq Dar, a carpet weaver, was strapped by the Rashtriya Rifles to the bonnet of an armoured vehicle and paraded through dozens of villages in Budgam on April 9 this year during the bypoll to the Srinagar parliamentary seat. On the day, 10 anti-poll protesters were killed during clashes and protests, mostly in Budgam. Major leetul Gogoi was said to be the brains behind taking human shield whose act was appreciated by the Army. Gogoi said he took step as a deterrent to stone-pelting and saved lives of many civilians.
In a Press release, the SHRC said that they had taken suo-moto cognisance of the case which was also filed by Mohammad Ahsan Untoo, Chairman International Forum for Justice Human Rights J&K.
The SHRC has refrained from indicting the Army into the incident. “Since Commission is not able to go into the question as to whether Indian Army was responsible for this act of gross human right violation, the commission clarifies that any observation made in this order should not be taken as expression of any opinion regarding the alleged involvement of the officers of Indian Army,” the order reads.
Major Gogoi was awarded Army Chief’s commendation medal for his services in Kashmir that drew flak from separatists, Opposition political parties and rights groups.