By Tarique Anwar, TwoCircles.net,
Patna : The Union Cabinet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in chair yesterday cleared a Rs 29.81 crore compensation package for the victims of the 1989-90 riots in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
The announcement came in less than a month after the Centre came out with a similar package for the 2002 Gujarat riot victims.
Abu Qaiser in Muslim United Front’s office
Under the relief package for the Bhagalpur riot victims, Rs 3.5 lakh will be paid to the next of kin of each of the 844 persons killed in the riots, a government spokesperson told mediapersons after the cabinet meeting. “This would be in addition to the amount already paid by the state government,” the spokesperson added. The injured (22) will be given Rs 1.25 lakh each, which will be reduced by the amount paid by the state government.
One of the most prominent faces behind the demand for compensation for the Bhagalpur riot victims, Abu Qaiser, president of Muslim United Front, has welcomed this decision and thanked the Congress-led UPA government at the centre. Talking to TwoCircles.net correspondent in the organization’s office in Patna, Abu Qaiser said that his effort has given result today and he is very happy with it. He further said that Muslim United Front had been pressing the government for several years to give compensation to Bhagalpur riot victims like compensation given to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot.
Abu Qaiser during Raj Bhawan gherao
Abu Qaiser visited Bhagalpur several times to unite people to raise demands for compensation. Only on his demand the government constituted fast track court to reinvestigate into the riot, he claimed. The Front succeeded in all its demands like constitution of a commission and compensation for the victims, he told TCN.
According the the figure of the Front a total of 1983 people were killed including Hindus and Muslims. The list sent to the prime minister by Abu Qaiser also included 44 Hindus and the government has accepted that figure and allocated compensation for 44 Hindu victims as well.
“We got help from members of both the community equally and that’s why we could succeed in this mission,” he said. He thanked media for raising the voice for the victims, which put extra pressure on the government. He also appealed to political parties not to use this development for their political gains.
Families of the victims have also welcomed the decision of the government, saying the amount cannot bring their dearest one back to life but will help in rebuilding their own lives.
Chief Minister Nitish Kurma and other political leaders have welcomed the decision.