NHRC lauds Haryana Govt for prompt compensation to Gohana victims

New Delhi, Mar 23 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commended the Haryana Government for awarding prompt compensation to victims of Gohana violence in September.

''The Commission appreciates the sensitivity and promptness shown by the Haryana Government in awarding compensation for the victims whose houses were torched by a mob in Balmiki Colony in Gohana, Sonepat in September 2005,'' a NHRC statement said.

Members of the upper castes, most of them Jats, burnt several houses of Dalits in Balmiki Colony, near Baroda Chowk in a violent backlash to the murder of Gharwal village youth Baljeet Siwach After taking cognizance of the incident, the NHRC sought a report from the the Haryana Government.

The report said cash compensation of Rs one lakh had been paid to each of the 54 affected families. Investigation of the cases registered in relation to the incident had been handed over to CBI.

Fifty four damaged burnt houses have been reconstructed by the Government at the cost of Rs 49 lakh.

Regarding the status of disciplinary proceedings against errant officers, it was submitted that the then DSP, Gohana and the then SHO, Police Station Sadar Gohana, have been placed under suspension and departmental action being taken against them.

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