Srinagar ‘stone-pelter’ video: Man tied with Army jeep identified as Farooq Ahmed Dar, says“I am a tailor”

Left: Dar tied to Army jeep in Kashmir/ Right: Dar's picture taken at the police station

Srinagar: Two days after video of a man tied to an Army jeep in Valley went viral; the man has finally spoken about the incident and has‘revealed’ his identity. The 26-year-old man has been identified as Farooq Ahmed Dar and according to him is a tailor by profession and does shawl artistry and has denied the charges of him being a stone-pelter. Dar, as he claims was returning after casting his vote; when he was grabbed by Army officials (unit identified as 53 Rashtriya Rifles) and tied to their jeep on the charges of pelting stones in the valley. As per the officials investigating the matter, Dar is a resident of Sitaharaan village in Khag Tehsil, Budgam in Central Kashmir. A statement has been issued by investigators which say “he was on his way to his sister’s house after casting vote when he was nabbed by the officials”.  According to Dar, he was paraded in 10-12 villages. Indian Express quoted Dar as saying, Gareeb log hain, kya karengey complain (We are poor people, what will we complain). I live alone with my asthmatic mother who is 75-years-old. I am scared. Anything can happen to me. I am not a stone-pelter.” His mother was also quoted agreeing and saying “No, we don’t want any inquiry. We are poor people. I don’t want to lose him. He is the only one I have to look after me in my old age.” Dar also said that women in the village tried to come for his rescue but were shooed away by police after a shot was fired in the air.  “On my chest, a white paper was tucked under the rope. I could only see my name written on it,” he added. The details about Dar emerged after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti sought a report from police after the outrage over the leaked video mounted. Even former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah lashed reacting to the video on Twitter saying "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!" The former Chief Minister also sought an enquiry into the matter saying, "A warning can be heard saying stone-pelters will meet this fate. This requires an urgent inquiry and follow up NOW!".