SRINAGAR, 6 March 2007 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad yesterday handed over checks as ex-gratia relief to the families of the five civilians allegedly killed in fake encounters and offered jobs with the state government to one member of each family of the victims.
The chief minister, accompanied by Minister for Education Peerzada Mohammed Saeed, met the victims’ families in Dak Bungalow Kokernag in south Kashmir district of Anantnag.
“My government fully sympathizes with you. And even though your loss is something that nobody can make up, we have decided to do whatever is possible to lessen your pain and suffering,” Azad told the members of the bereaved families.
The chief minister handed over relief checks worth Rs.100,000 to the next of kin of each family of the victims, along with job appointment orders. “We have also decided to adopt the orphans of these families so that their future is secured,” the chief minister announced.
Meanwhile, a top functionary of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday quit the party, accusing the leadership of working against the interests of the nation, the state and the ongoing peace process.
Party General Secretary Romesh Mottan declared that he was feeling “suffocated” by the “anti-national policies” of the PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Saeed and party president Mehbooba Mufti, particularly after they raised their pitch on demilitarization of the state.
