474 militancy-hit families yet to get compensation

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 23

As many as 474 militancy-affected families have become victim of the administration’s “red-tapism” as their cases for ex gratia and compassionate appointments have been pending before the authorities concerned for years.

In a written reply to the question of NC member Ali Mohammad Sagar, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who holds the charge of the Home Department, said there were 474 cases of the next of kin of civilians pending for the grant of cash compensation/compassionate appointment before the deputy commissioners. These were at various stages of consideration as the requisite formalities had not been completed, she said.

“Non-involvement reports from the police, requisite documents (including dependent certificate), details of the next of kin, reports/recommendations of the district-level screening-cum-coordination committee as stipulated under sub-rule (2)a of Rule 5 of the Sadr-e-Riyasat Ordinance (SRO) 43 of 1994 and identification of posts by the deputy commissioners are required,” the reply said.

According to official data, since January 2007 to January 21, 2018, 518 civilians lost their lives in terror-related violence. A maximum of 164 civilians were killed in terror attacks in 2007.

Replying to a question whether the government intended to enhance the compensation under the SRO 43 to the tune of Rs 10 lakh like in other states, the government said the SRO contained provision relating to compassionate appointment and did not provide for cash compensation.

The government said 85 and 20 civilians were killed during the years 2016 and 2017, respectively, in the Valley in law and order-related incidents. Similarly 19 and 48 civilians were killed in the years 2016 and 2017, respectively, in such incidents.

The government added that during the past two years, 24 civilians were killed in the cross-borer shelling in the Jammu division only. An amount of Rs 23 lakh was paid to the next of kin of 23 deceased, Rs 60 lakh was given to 110 injured persons and Rs 43.66 lakh was sanctioned for the damage to 165 structures.

Violence takes toll  

• In 2016, 82 police/security personnel lost their lives while performing their duties. In the same year, 150 militants, including 117 foreign terrorists, were eliminated by the forces. The forces arrested 79 terrorists in the year 
• In 2017, 80 police/security personnel attained martyrdom. In this period, 213 terrorists, including 127 foreigners, were eliminated while 97 were arrested

69 foreign nationals lodged in state jails

• Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said 69 foreign nationals are lodged in different jails of J&K. This includes seven who have been convicted under militancy-related incidents.
• In a written reply to a question of Independent MLA Engineer Rasheed, Mehbooba informed the Legislative Assembly that 69 foreign nationals were lodged in different jails of the state. The CM said a total of 2,604 persons, including foreign nationals, were lodged in different  jails. Of these detainees/prisoners, 226 local and 27 foreign nationals were behind the bars for their involvement in militancy-related incidents.
• The reply said 20 persons, including seven foreign nationals, were convicted for their involvement in militancy-related incidents while 170 others, including 20 foreigners, were facing trial. Sixtythree have been detained for role in militancy.