On Monday, Kashmir’s Inspector General of Police, Muneer Ahmad Khan, commented on the controversial ‘human shield’ case, as well as the award given to Major Leetul Gogoi, the man responsible.
Talking at a function in Sopore, IGP Muneer Ahmad Khan told Rising Kashmir News that the FIR had been lodged, and that it would not be quashed, adding that an investigation into the matter was ongoing.
He added:
The FIR has been lodged and the investigation is going on in the human shield case. Whatever will be the outcome of the investigation is a separate question; but FIR will not be quashed even if Major Gogoi has been awarded.
Major Gogoi, the officer who tied a local Kashmiri to a jeep allegedly to deter stone-pelters, was awarded a prestigious commendation card for ‘sustained efforts’ on counter-insurgency operations on Monday. The honour was awarded by Army Chief Bipin Rawat.
The incident took place on 9 April in Budgam when Farooq Ahmad Dar was used as a human shield against stone-pelters on a five-vehicle convoy.
Subsequent video footage showing Dar strapped to the jeep went viral, prompting an FIR to be filed by the Jammu and Kashmir police.
Meanwhile, Dar seems to have little or no hope for justice. He filed a complaint against the army with the State Human Rights Commission, but does not expect much to come of it.
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