Compensation eludes Uri’s survivors

J&K High Court asks Govt. to file its response on ex gratia to those affected by shelling, landmines

Over 70 victims of cross-border shelling and landmines from tehsil, including those who lost limbs, have fought for compensation for decades. Now, the Government’s move to create two categories of victims and set a cut-off date for ex gratia payment has finally come under the Jammu & Kashmir High Court’s scanner.

Hearing the petition, the J&K High Court Bench, comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Mohal Lal, admitted the case on the ground that “there is no rational basis for classifying the victims in two classes and fixing 24.08.2016 as the cut off date for such a classification”.

The court, on November 16, directed the Government to file its response within a period of six weeks, and has set the next hearing for February 14, 2022.