NMC suggests assistance to 1993 riot victims

Aurangabad, (Mah), Sep 8 (UNI) The National Minority Commission (NMC) has urged the state government to provide sanction ex-gratia to the victims of the 1993 Mumbai riots on part with the victims of anti-Sikh riots of 1984, said the NMC member Harcharan Singh Josh here.

Talking to reporters yesterday, he pointed out that apart from financial help, the Punjab riot victims were also provided with Rs 3.5 lakh as assistance by the Union Government. They were compensated adequately.

Mr Josh said that the commissioner was also observing whether the state government was following the 15-point programme of the Prime Minister meant for the upliftment of minorities. ''We are also demanding the state government to re-open 1073 cases of 1993 riots and take stern action against the police officers involved in the riots,'' he said.

Mr Josh also demanded that 'Shikalkaris' (professing Sikh faith) should also be awarded a minority status and be provided financial assistance.

UNI