The State president of All India Confederation of Scheduled Caste/Schedule Tribe/Other Backward classes (J&K) has ignited a debate over disparity in the distribution of ex-gratia to the next of kin of terror victims on caste basis by the UT administration in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Wednesday RK Kalsotra charged, "if you cannot give us equal rights while we are alive, at least treat us at par after death".
After the gruesome civilian killings in the Dhangri village of Rajouri Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha on January 2 had tweeted, "An ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh and a government job would be given to the next of kin of each of those civilians martyred in dastardly attack. Seriously injured would be given Rs.1 lakh. Officials have been directed to ensure best treatment to injured".
Reacting to the announcement RK Kalsotra Wednesday demanded parity while highlighting the grave reality that the members belonging to the Scheduled caste community killed in the terrorist firing outside Army gate in Rajouri on December 16 were sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs only.
"No government job was promised to the kin of deceased members of the Scheduled caste community. While in case of victims of terror in Dhangri the same administration sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs and a government job to the next of kin of the terror victims".
The terror victims identified as Shalinder Kumar and Kamal Kishore were both running a canteen inside the Army camp and were killed during firing outside the army gate on December 16, 2022. They were both the sole bread earners and were survived by their minor children and wives.
LG Manoj Sinha visited Dhangri on January 2 after the deceased families refused to perform the last rites but he is yet to meet the next of kin of the Scheduled caste victims of terror.
A day after these two civilians belonging to the SC community were killed, Office of LG Manoj Sinha on December 17, 2002 tweeted, "The incident in Rajouri is very unfortunate. Condolences to the bereaved families. The price of a life cannot be set in monetary terms but still I announce an ex-gratia relief of Rs five lakh for each affected family".
On December 26 Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal visited the affected families of those who lost their lives in the tragic Phalyana incident and handed over ex-gratia relief sanctioned by the Lieutenant Governor.