New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday had ordered to the government of Jammu and Kashmir to pay Rs. 2 lakh as compensation to the persons who injured in Kishtwar communal riots.
The bench of apex court headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam turned down the plea of the state government against compensating the injured persons till the judicial commission looking into the incident files its report.
The bench, while refusing to modify its Tuesday’s order in which it was mentioned that families of the deceased would be paid Rs 5 lakh and those injured would get up to Rs 2 lakh, and said, “The injured are also entitled to compensation. How can you say that they are not entitled?”
The bench also refused to give any directions to the state government as pleaded by J&K National Panthers Party’s secretary Sudesh Dogra on whose PIL the court had on Tuesday directed the state’s chief secretary to file a detailed affidavit on the communal clashes in Kishtwar and subsequent steps taken by the state government to control the situation.
The bench said, “No further direction is required at this stage. Don’t mention the matter every day. It is not the only case which we hear.”
The curfew has been imposed in Kishtwar from last six days. Curfew continues for seven other districts of Jammu for the fourth day.
The PIL had sought a direction to the government to provide safe passage, food and medical facilities to the stranded pilgrims travelling back from Machil to Batote (national highway) till their evacuation saying, their survival is under threat. The PIL also demanded compensation for all those whose houses, shops, infrastructure and other belongings have been destroyed by the mob in the clashes in Kishtwar. Communal violence had left three persons dead and several others injured in Kishtwar district where curfew was clamped. The streets of Kishtwar witnessed communal clashes on Eid-ul-Fitr. Several shops and vehicles were burnt.
The court has directed the State Chief Secretary to file an affidavit on the clashes. Under massive pressure, the state government had ordered a judicial probe into Kishtwar clashes, but is looking for a retired judge to head the probe.
Bureau Report
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