Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that he would “look into” a viral video of a man tied to an Army vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir, PTI reported. Unconfirmed reports claimed that the man, who was later identified as Farooq Dar, was used as a “human shield” against stone-pelters in Budgam district’s Beerwah during the bye-elections in Srinagar on Sunday.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called the video “disturbing” and “unacceptable” and sought a report from police, the news agency added. The Indian Army, too, said it was investigating the veracity of the video. “The contents of the video are being verified and investigated,” a defence spokesperson in Srinagar said, according to Outlook.
The vehicle seen in the clip belongs to the 53 Rashtriya Rifles, PTI reported. Dar is a resident of Sitaharaan village in the state’s Budgam district, the news agency added.
The video has sparked outrage on social media and is being widely shared. Someone in the video can be heard saying, “Yeh haal hoga paththarbaazon ka [This will be the fate of stone-pelters].”
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Twitter, “This requires an urgent inquiry and follow up NOW!” He further said that he was “outraged” that this video was not generating “the same anger” as the clip in which Kashmiri youth were seen assaulting an officer of the Central Reserve Police Force.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!