By News Agency of Kashmir,
Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir government has instituted a State Award of Bravery for Children in the name of `Tabinda Gani’, a minor girl who was rapped and killed by a band of criminals in Handwara area of Kashmir in mid 2007.
Sources told News Agency of Kashmir that government has accorded sanction for the institution of Tabinda Gani State Award of Bravery for Children.
The throat slit body of 14-year-old Tabinda Gani daughter of Abdul Gani of Batpora Langate was recovered from an orchard in Langate on July 20 2007. The victim was raped before her murder.
The incident evoked massive protests in North Kashmir and police initially rounded up 16 suspects out of which four (a band of criminals) including two non-local laborers confessed to the crime. The accused were being tried at Sessions court Kupwara.
As per the sources the award instituted in the name of Gani shall be awarded by the State Government on Independence Day, every year.
The government has categorized the award in three classes Bravery Award -Category –I,
Bravery Award -Category –II and Bravery Award category –III.
The award shall consists of a Gold Medal weighing 20 grams (18 K), Rs. 50,000 in cash, a citation and scholarship of Rs. 1000/- per month upto the class the Awardee pursues education.
The award, sources told NAK, will be given for conspicuous courage under circumstances of very grave danger to life.
For Bravery Award category-Il Gold Medal weighing 20 grams (18 K), Rs 35,000/- in cash, citation and scholarship of Rs. 1000/- per month will be given for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of grave danger to the life of the rescuer, while under the III Category of the Award Gold Medal weighing 20 grams (18 K), Rs. 25,000/- in cash, citation and scholarship of Rs. 1000/- per month will be given for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of grave bodily injury to the rescuer.
The government has further constituted a committee for scrutinizing the nominations for the award. The committee comprised of Chief Secretary, Financial commissioner, (Home), one officer not below the grade of Financial commissioner/Principal secretary to be nominated by the HCM, Administrative Secretary GAD, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir, Inspector General of Police, (CID).