In an embarrassment to the J&K Government, the families of two truckers, injured in a mob attack in Udhampur last week, have decided not to take any money from the government for their treatment.
The two truckers from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, who received burn injuries in the attack, are undergoing treatment in Delhi.
The families of the victims said they had already handed over interim relief money to the government.
“We handed over two cheques of Rs 10,000 each and Rs 20,000 cash to Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Tuesday when he visited Anantnag,” Ghulam Rasool, father of an injured trucker, Zahid, told reporters in Srinagar.
The families of the two injured truckers were accompanied by Langate MLA Abdul Rashid Sheikh, alias Engineer Rashid, during the press conference.
“On Tuesday, we wanted to meet Mufti Sayeed to apprise him of the incident, but he did not hear us. We want justice, not money,” said Ghulam Rasool. He alleged that they were threatened by officials in Anantnag.
“The district officers even threatened to book us under the PSA (Public Safety Act) if we open our mouth against the administration,” alleged Zahid’s father. He said they would also not accept any monetary relief in future from the government which had failed to even arrest the kingpin of the attack.
Ghulam Mohammad Dar, father of another injured trucker, said the Mufti government was adopting double standards and was rubbing salt in their wounds.
MLA Engineer Rashid said he would pay Rs 1 lakh each as compensation to the two families.
“I will pay their rent in Delhi till their treatment is complete. I will accompany the families on October 16 to Delhi and ensure that the injured persons get the best possible treatment,” said Rashid.
