1984 anti-Sikh riots case: Haryana govt yet to inform families about compensation, they say will approach PM

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“We have not had any official communication about this compensation. We only know what we have read in the newspapers,” said J P Singh Sahni, vice president of the Riots Action Committee constituted to fight for justice for victims of the riots.

The file for the release of compensation is reportedly shuttling between the state’s home and finance departments, and awaiting a decision. “We have accepted the Justice T P Garg Commission report and will definitely pay the compensation,” said Ram Niwas, additional chief secretary (home). “The file is at present with the finance department for arrangement of funds and a final decision will be taken soon.”

According to procedure, the state has to take up the release of such compensation with the Centre; Niwas said the state can distribute the money of its own without waiting for the Centre to release funds.

“The amount that seems to have been recommended is far too little,” said Sahni. “Take the example of the compensation recommended for loss of commercial property [Rs 1.21 crore for 84 cases]. The amount they expect would cover 84 cases would not cover even one of the commercial properties that were ruined.”

The president of the committee, Santokh Singh Sawhney, 78, reiterated this disappointment. “They are offering us such little money for everything we have been through. The last time this kind of thing happened was in Jallianwalah Bagh, where foreigners did such things. Here, our own people came into our homes and workplaces and committed such crimes against us,” said Sawhney, himself a victim of the riots.

The Riots Action Committee plans to build a campaign for justice in the coming weeks, also using social media. “We will read the report and will consult our lawyers. After that, we will take all the proof we have, as well as the report, and will go to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and see what he says,” Sahni said. “Earlier, other parties claimed that we were not getting adequate compensation because the Congress was in power, today with the BJP in power in the state and a large majority in the Centre, what is stopping them?”

In March 2015, the Garg Commission had recommended compensation to the families of 32 killed, and for properties damaged, in Hond-Chilhar of Rewari. The government has not yet paid that either. “There are some disputes,” said the additional secretary.