SC slams J038;K govt,says injured also entitled to relief

The court made these observations after the state governments counsel requested for modification of its previous days order. On Tuesday,the court had recorded the statement of senior counsel Gaurav Pachnanda,appearing for the state,that administration had decided to give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of those dead and up to Rs 2 lakh for injured.

However,the state counsel on Wednesday sought a modification of this order,pointing out that the amount of up to Rs 2 lakh was meant for loss of properties and not for injured persons.

This contention was immediately rejected by the Bench,which said the state government should not raise such objections to defy compensation to injured people. It asked the governments counsel to not press for a modification further and rather ask the administration to help the people on ground.

The court also refused to give directions to the government on a plea that several pilgrims were yet to receive any assistance by the state and were stranded. It demanded directions to airlift them and ensuring other amenities.

The court is hearing a PIL by Jamp;K National Panthers Partys secretary Sudesh Dogra,which has sought various directives to the Centre and the state government on maintaining law and order situations and have a proper probe into the communal clashes,besides adequate security and safe passage to pilgrims stranded due to curfew in Kishtwar.