Running from pillar to post for the past 32 years, septuagenarian Baldev Singh reached Janta Darbar today to get the due compensation for his family members who were killed during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984.
A rioting mob had killed his wife Surinder Kaur, 11-year old son Baljeet Singh and 13-year-old daughter Kulvinder Kaur and in-laws Dharm Singh, Raj Kaur and Avtar Singh and he suffered a bullet wound himself, told Singh.
“I lived in lohardaga with my family where I worked as a transporter and my in-laws were based in Bokaro. We were caught up in the riots when we were visiting them (in-laws),” Singh recounted.
Singh received compensation of Rs10 lakh for his wife and children in 2006 on orders from High Court but was denied the same for his in-laws. He told Agriculture Minister Randhir Singh and Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi that he is yet to receive enhanced compensation which was to be awarded to kin of riot victims as they attended to complainants during the weekly public court.
The Ministers assured Singh that his request for compensation will be forwarded to Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma for swift disposal.
The crowd of plaintiffs included a group of Tana Bhagats from lohardaga and Gumla who arrived at the Janta Darbar with requests to expedite the process for returning their lands usurped from them. The group appealed for the CM’s time to discuss the matter personally with him.
“During a programme organised by Revenue, Registration and land Reforms Department in March this year, CM Raghubar Das had assured of panchayat-level camps to be convened to giving back land plots taken from Tana Bhagats to their successors. These camps are yet to be organised,” said Pati Tana Bhagat, a member of Tana Bhagat delegation.
Coming to the Janta Darbar for the second time, Baby Simran (Name Changed) from Katras in Dhanbad once again pleaded justice against Vinay Kumar Singh, who allegedly molested her. Vinay is the regional head of a political party.
“I have been threatened several times to withdraw the case. I and my family members even had to endure physical assault for complaining against Vinay Kumar Singh. The case has been transferred to Crime Investigation Department but that has not resulted in any progress in the case,” she said.
Chandravanshi assured that the culprits soon will be punished after thorough investigation in the matter. He instructed DGP DK Pandey to look into the matter. Meanwhile, Simran threatened that she will immolate herself if her complaints are not addressed swiftly.