Martyrs’ kin rue Govt apathy

Sukhwinder Kaur,widow of the late Constable Dalijit Singh,said her husband was killed in 1992 by terrorists,but the state had not given her anything that was promised,except the ex-gratia,which she said was “meager”. “The Government had promised me that I will be paid my husband’s salary for the number of his service years remaining at the time of his death. But it was discontinued and now I get pension,” she said,adding,“I met the DGP a month ago and told him about my condition. He again gave me the same promise,and I am waiting.”

She said police martyrs are treated different from Army martyrs,while the lives of both are equally important and the needs of the families of both are same. “We are not given any petrol pumps,gas agencies,plots and good jobs like the families of army martyrs,” she complained.

Charanjit Kaur,whose husband ASI Kashmir SIngh was killed in 1992,said her husband was the winner of President’s Medal and the Central Government has been giving her an allowance of Rs 900 a month. “The state government has started paying Rs 12,000 monthly to the Army gallantry award winners,who get Rs 300 a month from the Centre. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had also said last year that Rs 6,000 a month will be given to police medal winners’ families too. But till date,no notification has been issued,” she said.

Speaking at a press conference after the function,DGP P S Gill said the state police was fully committed to redress the problems being faced by families of martyrs.