Twitter
Advertisement

DNA Ground Report: Burying his stony past, the 'human shield' rides on

Dar-k Past, But: Dar’s village saw a moderate polling, leaving behind horrors of 2017

Latest News
article-main
Dar was allegedly tied by troops of 53 Rashtriya Riffles (RR) with the bonnet of a jeep before parading him in different villages of Jammu
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

From the human shield victim to foot soldier of democracy, the 28-year-old Farooq Ahmad Dar has come a long way leaving behind the bitter past and perform the ancillary medical duties during polling in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency.

Dar, a Safai Karamchari, working in the Health department on the consolidated salary of Rs 840 per month, was performing his duty with a medical team which had set up a camp in the Government Higher Secondary School, Khan Sahab, in the Central Kashmir district of Budgam, which housed model polling booth.

"He (Dar) was not on election duty. He was on a medical duty at Government Higher Secondary School, Khan Sahab, which housed a model polling booth. A medical team is posted to provide first-aid in case of an emergency. For example, someone is injured or somebody falls ill, this team is meant to provide medical care. Dar was posted to maintain the cleanliness," said Dr Nazir Ahmad, chief medical officer, Budgam.

Dar hogged the headlines when he was allegedly picked up by the troops of 53 Rashtriya Riffles (RR) led by Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi and tied with the bonnet of a jeep before parading him in different villages on April 9, 2017, the day when by-polls for Srinagar parliamentary constituency was held. Dar had cast the vote before he was allegedly made a `human shield' to keep the stone pelting mobs at bay.

"My case is sub-judice and, therefore, I will not offer any comments. I can't talk", Dar told DNA.

Later in July 2017, J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) recommended Rs one million compensation to Dar for suffering "humiliation, physical, psychological torture, stress, wrongful restrain and confinement". However, the then Mehbooba Mufti government rejected the SHRC recommendation on the grounds that it will establish the guilt of the accused.

"Dar suffered both physically and emotionally. Nobody was ready to marry their daughter with him because of what happened in 2017 bypolls. Later he got married in Poonch Jammu. Though he had no fault, he had to undergo a lot of trauma", said Fayaz Ahmad Dar, his elder brother, who was elected Sarpanch in the Panchayat polls last year.

Just 20 kilometers away from Government Higher Secondary School Khan Sahab, Dar's village saw moderate polling leaving behind the horrors of 2017 when he was made human shield despite exercising his right to franchise. Of around 820 votes, 175 were cast by 2.10 pm in the polling booth set up Government Middle School Chill. "He is a registered voter and falls in the list at 641 number", said an official.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement