Activist files complaint with J&K rights panel

SRINAGAR: A human rights campaigner challenged on Wednesday the army’s award to Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi, who is under investigation for tying a Kashmiri weaver to a military jeep’s bonnet and using him as a “human shield” against stonethrowing poll protesters.

Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, chairman of the International Forum for Justice, filed a petition with the state human rights commission (SHRC).

Untoo’s plea on behalf of Dar sought to know the merit of the army’s decision to honour Gogoi, who is facing a court of inquiry.

Untoo complained to the human rights commission Gogoi’s act is “not only illegal but against the settled principles of international humanitarian law”. In another complaint, he sought a restraint order against media houses were referring to Dar as a stonepelter without evidence.

This was Untoo’s second petition after the one on April 19, in which he complained against the army’s use of Dar as a human shield. The commission directed the government and police to reply the petition.

News reports said director general of police replied that Dar was “tied with ropes to an army vehicle … keeping him under wrongful confinement and making him a human shield act”.

The commission is likely to hear the case on June 5.