Chandigarh April 26:
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to provide facilities and special status to victims of 1984 riots by UT administration was filed before Punjab and Haryana high court.
The petitioner, a USA-based NGO ' Sikh for Justice ' has sought directions to UT for allotment of booths, plots, houses and to provide other concessions, including identity cards to the victims.
The NGO stated though it was claimed that 3,500 Sikhs were killed in 1984 riots, unofficial figures were much higher. Due to the violence, a large number of families migrated to Chandigarh and Punjab. The PIL stated that in late 80s and early 90s, after insurgency in Kashmir, many Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Valley. They had settled in various parts of the country, including Chandigarh.
Being a welfare state, UT started various welfare schemes for the benefit of Kashmiri migrants. They were given free ration and monthly allowance on the pattern of Delhi government. It was also informed that UT administration has allotted booths to Kashmiri migrants, thus same facilities should also be extended to the victims of 1984 riots. Seeking directions to consider Sikh riot victims at par with Kashmiri migrants, it was pleaded that there was no fundamental difference in the plight of both. The division bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi adjourned the hearing for May 2.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to provide facilities and special status to victims of 1984 riots by UT administration was filed before Punjab and Haryana high court.
The petitioner, a USA-based NGO ' Sikh for Justice ' has sought directions to UT for allotment of booths, plots, houses and to provide other concessions, including identity cards to the victims.
The NGO stated though it was claimed that 3,500 Sikhs were killed in 1984 riots, unofficial figures were much higher. Due to the violence, a large number of families migrated to Chandigarh and Punjab. The PIL stated that in late 80s and early 90s, after insurgency in Kashmir, many Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Valley. They had settled in various parts of the country, including Chandigarh.
Being a welfare state, UT started various welfare schemes for the benefit of Kashmiri migrants. They were given free ration and monthly allowance on the pattern of Delhi government. It was also informed that UT administration has allotted booths to Kashmiri migrants, thus same facilities should also be extended to the victims of 1984 riots. Seeking directions to consider Sikh riot victims at par with Kashmiri migrants, it was pleaded that there was no fundamental difference in the plight of both. The division bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi adjourned the hearing for May 2.
