The Hindu : National : Two kin of blast victims refuse to accept payment

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Sunday, Sep 10, 2006
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Two kin of blast victims refuse to accept payment

Arunkumar Bhatt

State announces ex gratia of Rs. 1 lakh

— Photo: PTI

OFFERING SOLACE: Congress president Sonia Gandhi comforts the kin of the victims of the bomb blasts, at the Government guest house in Malegaon on Saturday.

MALEGAON (Maharashtra): At least two of the kin of victims of the bomb blasts here on Saturday refused to accept cheques for Rs. 25,000, a token ex gratia payment, from Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in the presence of the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, and an embarrassed Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who had got the payment organised. The State has announced the ex gratia payment of Rs. 1 lakh to the kin of the dead.

Two brothers, Mr. Shafiq Ahmed and Mr. Shaqeel Ahmed, who had lost their sons in the blasts refused to accept the cheques and told the leaders that they did not want any money as it could not bring their children back and complained that the State Government had not kept its promise of even providing a good hospital to the town.

"I can give Rs. 10 lakhs instead, the Government is doing nothing for us. Is it because we are Muslims?" Asked Mr. Shafiq Ahmed, a powerloom owner. "We have not come to collect money but to present our case, for 40 years ago Malegaon was ahead of Nashik but today it is much behind it," he said.

Earlier, Mr. Shivraj Patil had said that the human life was invaluable and no money really helped. "But this is not the Government money but the money of the people who are with you." He said that the Union Government would also make the matching ex gratia payment. He said that the State Government should build the promised hospital. But this assurance had obviously not cut much ice. Mr. Deshmukh attempted to pacify the agitated fathers but in vain. An annoyed looking Ms. Gandhi did not intervene. Later, she told reporters that she and Mr. Patil had come to see the damage caused by the bombs and pay homage to the dead and offer consolations to the bereaved families. Ms. Gandhi and Mr. Patil had visited blast sites and the injured in hospitals here.

Mr. Patil and Mr. Deshmukh promised proper investigation into the blasts.

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