BHRC takes exception to delay in payment of compensation to Banka woman

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Patna: Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) on Thursday directed Banka SP to punish the official responsible for delay in payment of compensation to one Jamuni Devi of village Tarakura under Belhar police station in Banka district whose husband Gauri Shankar Singh was killed by naxalites on August 30, 2014, and inform the commission by October 31, 2016. Jamuni Devi was paid a compensation of Rs 5 lakh on Thursday. But, the BHRC said it appears the proposal for payment of compensation to the petitioner was initiated by the police after abnormal delay in July, 2016, apparently after the matter was taken up by the commission.

Jamuni Devi had complained to the Commission that her husband was killed  by  naxalites on August 30, 2014, but no compensation has been paid to  her  till now. The BHRC asked for responses from the District Magistrate and SP of Banka in January 2016 followed by reminders. Consequent to the order of  the Commission,  Rakesh  Kumar, Senior  Deputy Collector and Piyush Kant, SDPO, Belhar, appeared before it on Thursday on behalf of DM and SP of Banka respectively.

The SDPO informed that Belhar police station had registered a case on August 31, 2014, in this connection  against unknown extremists. The chargesheet was filed against one Arjun Yadav on November 24, 2015.  Accused Kali Yadav, Jagarnath Yadav and Bachandeo Yadav (all  of Jhajha police station, Jamui) were remanded in the case in June, 2015 and investigation against others continue. Proposal for payment of compensation to the petitioner was sent to DM, Banka on July 25,  2016. The matter would now be heard on November 4, 2016.