Relatives of those missing since 2002 riots will get Rs5 lakh as compensation

The families of people who went missing in the 2002 post-Godhra riots can finally hope to receive compensation for their losses. The state government will now declare those missing since riots across the state dead, allowing their families to receive the amount of Rs1.5 lakh announced as compensation by the state government and an additional Rs3.5 lakh from the central government.

In the 2002 riots, which broke out after the Sabarmati Express train carnage at Godhra railway station, 413 people had been reported missing across the state. During the course of investigations, 185 had been traced, while 228, as per government records, are yet to be found. Ahmedabad city had the largest number of missing persons, 200, out of whom 99 are still missing.

The two-year-old daughter of Mebla Hussain, a resident of Naroda Patia, had gone missing in the riots that broke out there on February 28, 2002, and is still missing seven years hence. Hussain works as a labourer at a factory, earning Rs145 per day.

"On that day, my two-year-old daughter, Afrin, and seven-year-old son, Mohsin, got separated in the mayhem. I later found my son's body, but am yet to see my daughter's face," said Hussain, adding: "Now that seven years have passed, I have lost hope of finding her." Hussain has received Rs90,000 as the first part of his compensation, but is awaiting the rest of the package. "With the compensation money, I will be better able to feed my family," he said.

Mohammad Hussain had lost his wife and mother-in-law in the riots at Naroda Patia. "I have not received any compensation for the loss of my mother-in-law. I hope the government distributes the amount after he stipulated seven years of waiting."

Fifty-five-year-old Hajrabibi Saiyad had last seen her mother while fleeing the carnage. She is also waiting for the remaining part of the compensation amount she had received for her mother. "I got Rs90,000 as compensation but am waiting for the rest of amount," she said.

What collector’s office says

According to the collector’s office compensation was disbursed even for those people reported missing. Rajesh Mehta, city deputy collector, who was transferred a couple of days ago, said, "The government has compensated 49 death cases and six cases are still under consideration. A committee comprising district collector and police commissioner took up the cases of missing people and recommended compensation," he said.

Only 19.5% of centre’s relief package released

The central government announced compensation for the Godhra riot victims in addition to the state government’s relief package, last year; however, it is yet to release the whole amount. Alleging that the Centre has released only 19.5% of the total relief package, Noorjahan Diwan, a social worker of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan said that the victims are yet awaiting the whole promised amount. 

Nikunj Soni/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication