Kishtwar clashes: SC tells J&K govt to pay Rs 2 lakh to injured

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to pay a compensation of up to Rs 2 lakh to people injured in communal clashes in Kishtwar district.

A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam turned down the plea of the state government against compensating the injured persons till the judicial commission looking into the incident files its report.

"The injured are also entitled to compensation. How can you say that they are not entitled?" the bench asked, while refusing to modify its Tuesday order in which it was mentioned that families of the deceased would be paid Rs 5 lakh and those injured would get up to Rs 2 lakh.

The bench also refused to give any directions to the state government as pleaded by the J&K National Panthers Party's secretary Sudesh Dogra on whose PIL the court had directed the state's chief secretary to file a detailed affidavit on the communal clashes in Kishtwar and subsequent steps taken by the state government to control the situation.

"No further direction is required at this stage. Don't mention the matter everyday. It is not the only case which we hear," the bench said.

The PIL had sought a direction to the government to provide safe passage, food and medical facilities to the stranded pilgrims travelling back from Machil to Batote (national highway) till their evacuation, saying their survival is under threat.

The PIL also demanded compensation for all those whose houses, shops, infrastructure and other belongings have been destroyed by the mob in the clashes in Kishtwar.

Communal violence had left three persons dead and several others injured in Kishtwar district where curfew was clamped.

The streets of Kishtwar witnessed communal clashes on Eid-ul-Fitr. Several shops and vehicles were burnt.