Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 25: The State Government has, for the first time, decided to extend the relief to movable properties damaged during August 9 Eid violence in Kishtwar. As the movable properties were earlier not covered under the relief given to riot victims in the State, the authorities have sought Government approval for it, which was likely to be granted as the Government has agreed to the proposal.
However, authorities were likely to start disbursement of relief to the riot affected people in Kishtwar for destruction of their immovable property anytime now, most likely tomorrow.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu told the Excelsior that disbursement of relief to Kishtwar victims was delayed as authorities had to seek some clarifications from the State Government as movable properties (which included vehicles etc) were being covered under the relief.
“Hopefully, disbursement of relief in case of immovable properties (like shops, houses etc) would start from tomorrow,’’ he said.
Official sources said the Government has decided to include movable properties in the relief as a large number of private cars, taxis and other such vehicles had been set ablaze or badly damaged by the rioters during August 9 vandalism in Kishtwar town and outskirts.
Officially, the number of vehicles torched or damaged was stated to be “close to 100’’. Sources said the district administration of Kishtwar has worked out the details of completely, severely and partially damaged and completely gutted vehicles for disbursement of relief.
“All formalities for providing relief to the persons, whose movable property was gutted or damaged in the violence, have been prepared. However, since movable property was being included for the first time for disbursement of relief, there had been no clarification from the Government. Authorities in Kishtwar have through the civil administration sought clarification from the Chief Minister’s Office, which was expected in the next few days,’’ sources said, adding the movable property would also be covered under the relief.
They added that in the meantime the State Government has decided to start disbursement of relief for gutted and damaged immovable property in Kishtwar very soon, most likely from tomorrow as the authorities have completed entire exercise of the damage and destruction of the property.
“The relief for destruction of immovable property is likely to be disbursed anytime. Hopefully, we are going to start it tomorrow. The damage has been worked out and amount has been placed at the disposal of the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar for disbursement,’’ sources said.
The Government has decided to provide an interim relief up to Rs 2 lakh to riot affected victims and total relief after assessment up to Rs 5 lakh.
Sources said the authorities have completed the exercise for ascertaining the damage caused to the property including shops, houses and other business establishments etc during August 9 violence. The relief would be disbursed depending upon the damage.
It may be mentioned here that traders of Kishtwar had observed a day’s shutdown on Monday in protest against delay in distribution of relief.
Meanwhile, the Government was likely to extend one-month term of one man judicial inquiry Commission of Justice (Retired) R C Gandhi, a retired Judge of the State High Court, which has been holding inquiry into Kishtwar riots.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced judicial inquiry into the riots within a couple of days of the violence. However, Justice (Retired) Gandhi was appointed as one man Commission on August 23 but an official order communicating the Government decision to the retired Judge was given to him after a gap of nearly 15 days, leading to delay in start of the probe.
As one-month term of the inquiry commission has ended on September 23, the Government was likely to grant extension to the Commission from retrospective effect, sources said.
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