Ex-gratia for victims of mob violence

The decision was made by the state Cabinet in its meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday.

Addressing media persons, Sangma said the cabinet has approved the proposal for introduction of a scheme for grant of ex-gratia payment to victims who are killed or disabled due to incidents of mob violence and lynching in the state.

“The scheme proposes that if a person loses his/her life then an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the next of kin and if there is disability, then Rs 1 lakh will be given to the concerned individual and the family,” he informed.

Asked, the chief minister said the scheme will apply to recent cases and it will not go down to previous cases that have taken place many years ago.

“This is also being done because of the fact that the Supreme Court has mentioned that there should be a scheme in this line,” he added.

Asked on the case related to the attack on migrant labourers in South West Khasi Hills District, he said a day or two after the incident took place, three people were arrested and interrogation is going on.

On Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC)’s direction to provide interim relief to six coal labourers killed in the coal mishap in East Jaintia Hills District, he said the state government is yet to examine the matter.

By Our Reporter