Rehab of ’84 riot victims sought

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, January 2

The Sikh Danga Peerat 1984 Sangharsh Committee, which held a meeting with 1984 riot victims and their families at Basti Peer Das here today, has demanded the rehabilitation of the victims.

Representatives of the committee said over 4,000 families had not been rehabilitated in the city.

President of the committee Darshan Singh Ahuja said: “The state government should rehabilitate all those who returned to the state after the riots. There are many of them who are running from pillar to post to get shelter and it’s a shame for the state government that has failed to provide home to the victims even after 30 years.”

He said in districts such as Ludhiana and Bathinda, the victims had been given flats or compensation to continue their livelihood. But nothing has been done in this regard in the city where victims were hardly being recognised or given any sort of help.

Another member of the committee said the government should intervene in the matter and should provide jobs as well compensation to the victims. Many of the victims, after being harassed, were living like destitutes in the state and had migrated to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to earn livelihood. The government must do something to improve their condition in society, he said.