The Joint Secretary of Welfare Committee for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Victims, MP, Jabalpur Harjeet Kaur Gumar on Thursday said that the careless attitude of the government and Collectors is delaying the promised compensation to the riot victims.
While talking to the media persons, here on Thursday, Gumar said that in the year 1984 the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi led to the anti-Sikh riots. Many lost their lives and property. In Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur was one of the highly affected areas where eight people lost their lives and 804 were totally affected by the riot. Many were seriously injured, Gumar added.
Gumar further said that the government promised compensation for all. The families of the victims who lost their lives received their compensation, but for the ones who made out alive that day are still pending. later two public interest petitions, legal petition number 1045/1992 and writ petition number 2134/2001 were filed in the Jabalpur High court, she added.
On January 24, 2006 MP High Court gave the decision in favour of the victims that the compensation by the government to be given immediately, she added. There was no action taken by the government to comply with the High Court’s decision and later the victims had to move with a contempt petition where in again the High Court ruled in their favour, she added.
Gumar said that in spite of the second ruling by the court, the government is delaying in releasing the compensation which rightfully belongs to the Sikh. It has been 32 years since the unfortunate incident took place yet the victims seek justice, Gumar added.