Vij seeks relief, jobs for kin of Premis killed in police firing

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21

Pressure is building in the BJP for compensation and government jobs to Dera Sacha Sauda followers who were killed in police firing in Panchkula and Sirsa following Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s conviction.

Health Minister Anil Vij today confirmed that he spoke to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and a job to next of kin of the police firing victims as had been given to those killed during the Jat quota violence in February last year.

“How can we in the government discriminate between people. Those who died in the Jat quota violence were arsonists and those who died on August 25 in Panchkula and Sirsa, too, indulged in arson. Rather, some of those who died in the police firing on dera followers following violence were innocent people who were misled by others to come to Panchkula and did not indulge in arson. Many were shot in the chest or in the head while several others were hit in the back while trying to run,” he added.

Vij said he has no sympathy for arsonists or criminals or those arrested on the sedition charge. However, as far as the payment of compensation and government jobs to the family members of those killed in police firing was concerned, it is a gesture of humanity.

“After all people have lost members of their families to bullets fired by the police. Only recently we have given jobs and compensation to those who died under similar circumstances during the Jat quota agitation. A democratic government cannot discriminate between its people on the basis of their caste, religion or faith,” he said.

Vij added he took up the issue with the CM during an informal meeting of the state Cabinet on Wednesday and was assured of humane consideration.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Lok Dal, however, is not amused with Vij’s demand. “First, BJP leaders welcomed dera followers in Panchkula despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s stern orders to drive them away. They served them langar. Now, after the police acted tough following the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s intervention, the government wants to prove to the dera people that the BJP is still with them,” alleged Abhay Singh Chautala, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly.

He said in the absence of the High Court directions, the Khattar government would have allowed Ram Rahim to serve his imprisonment term in a rest house.