Families of 1984 riot victims given hiked compensation

Families of 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Gurgaon were given enhanced compensation letters on Sunday. After 32 years of struggle, the development provides huge relief for the victims’ families in Gurgaon and Pataudi, those present said.

Families of 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Gurgaon were given enhanced compensation letters on Sunday. After 32 years of struggle, the development provides huge relief for the victims’ families in Gurgaon and Pataudi, those present said.

Enhanced compensation letters were distributed among '84 anti-Sikh riot victims in Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Gurgaon on Sunday (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

On August 1, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had promised to release the compensation to the victims’ families within fifteen days. The letters were, however, issued after a five-day delay.

As many as 86 families out of the 150 entitled for compensation received letters during a function organised at a Gurudwara by the office bearers of Riots Action Committee.

“This is a big success for us, following 32 years of struggle. We are thankful to the government for finally listening to our long pending demands,” Jagmohan Singh, one of the recipients of the letter, said.

As per the letter, the beneficiaries have to report at the office of the deputy commissioner with their identity proofs and necessary documents, after which the money will be transferred into their accounts.

On July 27, the state government approved `12.07 crore as compensation for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the recommendations of justice (retd) TP Garg commission.

Funds of `5.75 crore was approved for 36 cases of death and `26 lakh for two cases of injury. Similarly, `4.80 crore was approved for 96 cases of damage caused to residential property. The commission also approved compensation for 84 cases of damage to commercial property.

“It is better late than never. We have finally got our dues,” Santokh Singh Sawhney, president of riots action committee, said.

As per official records, as many as 47 persons were killed in Gurgaon and 17 others, including two teenage girls, were killed in Pataudi on November 2, 1984. Victims said that 300 houses were gutted in Gurgaon alone.

“We are thankful to the administration, especially DC Gurgaon, who took pains for timely release of the money,” JP Singh Sahni, the vice-president of the committee, said.