By IANS,
New Delhi : The government Thursday sanctioned Rs.298 million for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of communal riots that had erupted in Bihar’s Bhagalpur town in 1989-90.
The families of the 844 people who had died in the riots would receive Rs.350,000 each, an official spokesperson told reporters after a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“This would be in addition to the amount already paid by the state government and would entail an expenditure of Rs.29.54 crore (Rs.295 million),” the spokesperson added.
The 22 people injured in the riots would be paid Rs.125,000 each “which would be reduced by the amount already paid by the state government”, he said.
This would entail expenditure of Rs.3 million.
The Bhagalpur riots had erupted after a Hindu religious procession was stoned, allegedly by Muslims. Most of the riot victims were Muslims.
Bhagalpur had earlier hit the headlines in 1980 when police blinded at least 31 prisoners who were being tried for various crimes.