Government announced 5 lakh rupees compensation to kin of 1984 Sikh riots victims

Union Government on 30 October 2014 announced compensation of 5 lakh rupees for kin of victims who were killed during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984.

This compensation to families of the victims of the riots will be other than ex-gratia payment delivered to them earlier by government or any agencies. This decision of government will cost 166 crore rupees to the government.

As per records, nearly 3325 people were killed in the communal riots that were triggered by the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 by her body guards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. Of 3325 killed in the riots, 2733 were resident of Delhi while others belonged to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states.

The order was passed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The decision was taken after a high-level meeting where issue of compensation to civilian victims of communal, terrorist or Naxal violence was discussed.

Apart from this, the government during the meeting also enhanced the compensation to civilian victims of communal, terrorist or Naxal violence from 3 lakh rupees to five lakh rupees.

Till date as per provisions of the Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims of Terrorist, Communal, Naxal violence since 2008, the next kin of persons, who were killed or civilians who suffered permanent incapacitation as a result of such violence were paid 3 lakh rupees as compensation.