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Friday, Aug 12, 2005

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1984 riots: two panels for compensation

Special Correspondent

The money awarded to the victims in some States was inadequate

NEW DELHI: : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Thursday announced in the Rajya Sabha that two committees will be set up to ensure prompt payment of due compensation to the families of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Replying to the day-long special discussion on the Opposition- sponsored motion on action on the Nanavati Commission report, Mr. Patil said the two committees would be set up soon to sort out all issues relating to payment of compensation to the families of victims in one or two months.

Mr. Patil said the compensation given to the victims in some States was inadequate and assured the House that the Government would ensure that other victims got compensation on par with those in Delhi. The Centre would talk to States to ensure that they too provide succour to the victims.

Assuring members that any person found responsible for the riots will be dealt with as per the law, he said the Nanavati Commission report referred to criminals and conspirators joining riotous mob. "The question is what should be done? Justice should be done and simultaneously some relief and compensation should also be given to the families of the victims."

The Government had examined all observations and recommendations made by the Commission and it was wrong and incorrect to suggest that it was not taking action against anyone named in the report.

Earlier, participating in the discussion Abu Azmi (Samajwadi Party) demanded that the report of the Srikrishna Commission that probed the 1992-93 riots in Mumbai be implemented. He wanted a provision made in the law that made it mandatory for the government to implement recommendations of the commissions of inquiry. He said that efforts were being made to politicise the Nanavati Commission report and criticised attempts to divide the people along religious lines.

R.K. Anand (Congress) quoted from a speech of the former Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, while on a visit to Gujarat in April 2002 and claimed that Mr. Vajpayee justified the riots, which led to interruptions from the Opposition benches.

Mr. Anand demanded that the Government give jobs to Sikh youth whose families bore the brunt of riots and who were now in the age group of 24 to 26 years.

P.C. Alexander (Independent) said the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had taken only half-a-minute to clear the deployment of Army to control widespread anti-Sikh riots in 1984 in Delhi. He disputed the claim of the former Delhi Lt. Governor , P. G. Gavai, that there was delay in calling the Army.

He said that Mr. Gavai was giving conflicting versions apparently to cover up his role in tackling the situation.

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