Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11 2010:
With the Apunba Lup, the JACs of Ch Sanjit and Th Rabina inking a pact and calling off the July 23 protest, the two JACs are set to organise the Shradhha of the two persons together on January 23, but contrasting tales have come up on whether the financial aid extended by the Government to the families of the two deceased have actually reached them or not.
Co-convenor of the Rabina JAC informed that the Government had in total given Rs 5 lakhs, including a cheque of Rs 1 lakh as ex-gratia.
Out of the Rs 5 lakhs, Rs 2 lakhs are to be put into a fixed account for the young child of the deceased while Rs one lakh is to go to her husband.
Rs one lakh is to meet the expenditure for the Shraddha ceremony while Rs 1 lakh is to be given to the JAC to make up for the expenses incurred during the agitation.
The co-convenor further said that the Sanjit JAC appeared to have taken their money, but could not elaborate the amount.
In an interaction, father-in-law of Rabina, Th Damu said that he received a cheque of Rs 1 lakh as ex-gratia for Rabina from local MLA, Brajakishore yesterday.
Replying to queries, Damu said that he does not know the exact amount given for Rabina and her family, except the cheque of Rs 1 lakh, though he has heard that about Rs 5 lakhs were given.
The whole amount was handed by the MLA who also summoned the JAC members too, he added.
A co-convenor of the Sanjit JAC has also raised questions over whether the Government did extend financial aid of Rs 5 lakhs.
According to the co-convenor of the Sanjit JAC, he was informed by the convenor of Rabina JAC, Nongleima, that a total of Rs 5 lakhs was doled out by the Government for Rabina as well as another Rs 5 lakhs for Sanjit yesterday.
Nongleima also informed the co-convenor that the money was meant to be handed over to the husband of Rabina and mother of Sanjit, said the co-convenor, recalling his conversation with her.
However convenor of the Sanjit JAC, Anita said that during the talk with the Government between representatives of the Apunba Lup, the two JACs and the Government, it was informed that no ex-gratia is payable to Sanjit as he was an underground cadre.
Any amount to be paid in respect of Sanjit has to be decided after the Court delivers its verdict, said Anita.
However the Government has been urged to release about Rs 60, 000 for the roofing material damaged during the agitation.
The Government has also been urged to financially help for observing the Shraddha.
As for Rabina, the Government was urged to increase the Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia, claimed Anita.
Moreover the Government was also urged to give Rs 5 lakhs for Rabina on time for Shradhha, while for Sanjit the amount requested was Rs 1 lakh for the Shradhha, said Anita and added that the money is to be delivered through the local MLA.
Since Khurai AC MLA Dr Bijoy is presently in Guwahati, the amount for Sanjit will be released once he returns tomorrow, added Anita.
On being contacted, Sanjit's mother said yesterday she met Apunba Lup leader Bimol who suggested that the Shraddha of her late son be held together with Rabina's on January 23.Bimol also said that I would be given Rs lakh in time for the Shraddha.
At one point of time, the Government had offered to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakhs as well as a suitable job to a family member, said Sanjit's mother.
This was conveyed to me by Bimol and I was advised to fill up the necessary forms.