SRINAGAR: The next of kins (NoKs) of slain policemen in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to receive exgratia compensation at par with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) while the relief to the border residents along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in the State affected by the Pakistani troops firing would also be increased.
Sources said Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) has in principle decided to increase to compensation to families of policemen killed in militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir and bring it at par with the paramilitary forces.
“As against present exgratia relief of Rs 43 lakhs, the families of slain policemen in J&K are likely to get a compensation of Rs 70 lakhs now,” they said.
Sources said the MHA has recognised that J&K police has been at the forefront of anti-militancy operations in the State and has played a vital role in killing of over 190 militants during “Operation All Out” in the Valley this year.
Over 30 policemen including some police officers were killed in militant violence in Kashmir this year.
A DySP-rank officer was lynched by a mob outside historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar in June this year.
“In recognition of their services, MHA has decided to increase share of its compensation to families of policemen killed in militant violence from present Rs 3 lakhs to Rs 30 lakhs. Rs 18 lakhs would be provided from the State budget of J&K and Rs 12 lakhs will be reimbursed by MHA,” sources said.
The increase in exgratia relief to J&K policemen if implemented would resolve the long pending demand of State police to provide compensation to NoKs of slain policemen at par with the CAPFs.
The MHA has also acknowledged the role played by Special Police Officers (SPOs) in combating militancy in the State.
“The MHA has decided to increase the exgratia relief in case of killings of SPOs at the hands of militants from present Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The MHA would reimburse the entire amount to the State,” sources said.
After over five month long unrest in the Valley last year after killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Muzaffar Wani, central government had sanctioned an additional 10,000 SPOs to tackle the situation in the Valley.
Sources said MHA has also decided to reimburse the expenses incurred by the J&K government on damages caused to houses, agriculture and livestock in ceasefire violations and firing by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB in the State.
They said MHA realises that the people living in border areas of J&K have been suffering unexpected losses to due to Pakistani troops firing, affecting their livelihood.
“As a new initiative, MHA will reimburse the expenditure incurred by the state government for providing relief to people affected by cross border firing at rates equal to National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines,” sources said.
There was surge in ceasefire violations and Pakistani troops firing and shelling along the LoC and IB in the State this year. Many security personnel and civilians have been killed in ceasefire violations.
India shares a 3323 km-long border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the International Border (IB) and 740 km of the Line of Control (LoC) fall in J&K.