J&K Police files FIR against Army for using a youth as ‘human shield’

Srinagar, Apr 17: Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered a case against Army for tying a youth to a jeep as a ‘human shield’, a video of which sparked outrage after it went viral on social media few days ago.
Official sources said that an FIR was filed at Beerwa Police station in Budgam, where the video was allegedly shot on April 9, when bypolls to Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency were held. The bypolls were marred by low voter turnout and violence that left eight youth dead and over 150 others, including 100 security force personnel, injured in clashes across Badgam district.
Taking to social networking site Facebook, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wrote, “In the ‘human shield’ video case FIR No 38/17 U/S 342/149/506&367 RPC has been registered in Police Station Beerwah on 13/4/17. Investigation is being conducted by SDPO Magam.
“We shall ensure that investigations are taken to a logical conclusion so that action is taken,” she further wrote.
A video has gone viral on social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter, in which a youth can be seen tied to an Army jeep and a warning can be head, saying stone pelters will meet the same fate. The video drew sharp criticism in Kashmir and rest of the country from different sections of society, including politicians and retired Army officers.
Meanwhile, terming the incident as shocking, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said it requires an urgent inquiry and follow up now. “This young man was TIED to the front of an Army jeep to make sure no stones were thrown at the jeep? This is just so shocking!!!! #Kashmir,” Mr Abdullah, who is the working president of main opposition in the state National Conference (NC), wrote on micro-blogging site on April 14.
Following the outrage, Army has also ordered an internal enquiry.