Early Times Report
Jammu, July 16: Accusing the UT administration of adopting pick and choose policy in sanctioning ex gratia to martyrs’ families, J&K Congress on Thursday hit out at the authorities for “insulting” the family of sarpanch Sayeed Mohammad Rafi, who was the first victim of the recent political killings in the Valley.
Rafi, the Sarpanch of Hakura panchayat and president of Congress’ Larkipora (Dooru) block in Anantnag, was killed by militants about eight months ago.
“Why no senior official from the administration visited the hapless family?” asked Congress spokesperson Ravinder Sharma.
Taking strong exception to the “biased and discriminatory” approach of the administration, Sharma said, “It amounts to insulting the martyr and his family, when no senior officer in the civil administration visits his residence nor a penny has been given to the family of four children and aged and ailing mother, who lost their sole breadwinner, in a militant attack on November 26, last year.”
“Rafi was killed when he had organised the much-publicised official programme of the administration, but his family is being ill-treated,” said Sharma.
“Was he not the martyr in the eyes of the present dispensation or because he belonged to the Congress party no one bothered to recognise his martyrdom and even extended ex gratia to his suffering family?” he asked. |
