JAMMU:What else could be an irony for this sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir where the PDP led government in alliance with “nationalist brigade” BJP is more worried about relief to Hizb terrorist Burhan Wani’s brother than soldiers, martyred while fighting terrorism and sacrificing lives for the nation?
Three months have passed since the Uri terror attack but there is “nothing official” about the compensation to two of the 18 soldiers martyred in Uri terror attack.
The nation witnessed a deadliest attack in Uri in which 18 soldiers attained martyrdom but still no announcement of ex-gratia for the soldiers from the State has been made except lip sympathies and condemnation, pouring in from various corners.
Havaldar Ravi Paul of village Sarba in district Samba and Subedar Karnail Singh of village Shibu Chack, Bishnah, Jammu got martyred in the attack.
“The PDP-BJP government, which took no time to double the salaries of its Council of Ministers as well as legislators during Assembly session this year, did nothing substantial in this regard except expressing lip sympathy and condemning the terror attack,” a close member of the martyred soldier’s family rued.
He asked how the coffers of PDP-BJP government, which claim to be real sympathisers of the people, suddenly go dry when it comes to providing ex-gratia to next of king of the brave-hearts, is a million dollar question.
“If the governments in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Bihar can announce ex-gratia for the martyred soldiers of their states, what for the J&K Government is waiting for?” He asked.
However, on December 14, a shocker came for the people of Jammu region particularly to those who lost their loved ones in Uri when the PDP-BJP coalition announced compensation for slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani’s elder brother allegedly killed by the security forces in 2013. Ironically, Khalid Wani himself was Over Ground Worker of the Hizb.
The Wani family, as per government communication notified by the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama will get Rs 4 lakh and a government job for one of the family members from the State.
In all, the state announced compensation for the families of 106 people who got killed by security forces while tackling terror or by terrorists.
“On one hand the security forces and the locals are fighting against militancy since decades but unfortunately, on the other hand the BJP in the Centre and PDP in alliance with BJP in the State failed in providing relief to the martyrs,” Jugal Kishore Sharma, Congress MLC said.
The former minister asserted that the government should have immediately announced at least Rs 50 lakh each to the martyred soldiers, adding, “stone pelters and those instigating violence in the Kashmir Valley, are being visited personally by the brigade of ministers, even the Chief Minister herself and they even enquire about their health in the hospitals but they can’t even spare a moment to share grief with the families of the martyrs.”
“People of Jammu region have faith in the BJP and they voted them to power but it is unfortunate that they do not have time to share the pain of martyrs’ families”, he added.
He said that he has also listed the question in the upcoming session for the legislature starting from 2nd Jan to raise the issue of compensation to Burhan Wani’s kin. He also assailed the statement of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, seeking distinction between terrorists and their families.
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, Chairman, Harsh Dev Singh said, “it is shameful and condemnable that those who rendered services for the state and the nation, are not given due attention.”
“State Government has failed to respect the martyrs and it is an insult to them,'” said Singh and added that it has not happened for the first time as Jammu and Kashmir had been behaving in similar manner previously too.
“BJP-PDP government supports appeasement policy towards the militants but nothing for the bravehearts,'” said the Panthers Party Chairman.
They are promoting separatists agenda, he said adding that the saffron party has surrendered before the policies of the PDP for power lust.
“BJP has demoralised the soldiers in the State but we will struggle and intensify our fight for the relief to the bravehearts,” said the former minister.
Former DGP M M Khajuria termed the act of granting compensation to OGWs family as shameful, saying, “BJP should have taken national interest into consideration.”
“Why they are not following the national cause, this needed to be answered?’ he asserted.
“Government does not have set policy for the families of the martyrs as we are indebted to their sacrifices,” he said.
Brigadier (Retd) Anil Gupta said, “Compensation is already announced under relevant SRO but there must be a set norm to have distinction between the families of the terrorists.”
Burhan Wani’s father had openly said that if he had the third son, he would have sacrificed him too for the ’cause’ and in such a circumstance, relief to the family is unfortunate, he said.
“Case of compensation to Uri martyrs is already approved but only SRO is to be issued,” he said, adding, “Rs five lakh and a job has been approved in principle.”
As per reports, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced financial assistance of Rs. 20 lakh each to the families of jawans from the state while the Maharashtra Government announced a financial assistance of Rs. 15 lakh each for families of slain soldiers from the state.