The Human Rights Commission of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday directed the state government to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to Farooq Ahmad Dar, the civilian who was tied to a military jeep and used as a human shield against stone-pelters in central Kashmir on April 9.

“The state government should provide Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victim, Farooq Ahmad Dar,” the SHRC said, according to The Hindu. The panel, however, clarified that it did not have any jurisdiction over the Army.

On May 25, Dar had filed a complaint with the state human rights commission against the officer being honoured for using him as a human shield.

Major Leetul Gogoi had used Dar as a human shield during the bye-elections to the Srinagar parliamentary constituency in April. The Army had given him a commendation card for his efforts in counter-insurgency operations and initiative to prevent bloodshed in the Valley.

The move, which had come to light after a video of the incident went viral on social media, had drawn criticism from various quarters, though it had been defended by the Centre. Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat, too, had defended Gogoi, saying he could not have “looked back” and waited for orders at that point and took action “in his own wisdom”.