NEW DELHI, Aug 14: People injured in Kishtwar communal clashes in Jammu and Kashmir will also be entitled to compensation up to Rs 2 lakh, the Supreme Court today said refusing to modify its order.
A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam turned down the plea of the State Government against compensating the injured persons till the judicial commission looking into the incident files its report.
It refused to modify its yesterday’s order in which it was mentioned that families of the deceased would be paid Rs 5 lakh and those injured would get up to Rs 2 lakh.
The order had come after the State Government had told the apex court that Rs 5 Lakh would be given to the families of those killed in the clashes and up to Rs 2 lakh compensation would be paid to people whose properties were damaged.
“The injured are also entitled to compensation. How can you say that they are not entitled?” the bench asked today.
Advocate Sunil Fernandes, appearing for the State, pleaded for modification of yesterday’s order on the ground that the Government had assured to give compensation for those killed and for the damage to property and and it did not spell out the amount to be paid to the injured person.
The bench, however, was not convinced.
The bench also refused to give any directions to the State Government as pleaded by J&K National Panthers Party secretary Sudesh Dogra on whose PIL the court had yesterday directed the State’s chief secretary to file a detailed affidavit on the communal clashes in Kishtwar and subsequent steps taken by the State Government to control the situation.
“No further direction is required at this stage. Don’t mention the matter everyday. It is not the only case which we hear,” the bench said.
The PIL had sought a direction to the Government to provide safe passage, food and medical facilities to the stranded pilgrims travelling back from Machail to Batote till their evacuation saying, their survival is under threat.
Communal violence had left three persons dead and several others injured in Kishtwar district where curfew was clamped. (AGENCIES)
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