Families of Mosul victims warn of dharna if demands not met
Taking a tough stand, families of workers from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh (HP) killed in Iraq after being abducted in 2014, on Friday threatened to launch an indefinite ‘dharna’ at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday if the government does not accept their demands by Saturday.
They also resolved not to accept the mortal remains of the deceased until the government — Centre or state — announces a job for one of the members of each of the families and an adequate compensation amount.
A meeting of the families from Punjab and HP was held at a gurdwara here on Friday to chalk out a strategy. As many as 17 families were present.
“We are in touch with all families of Punjab and HP. The remaining families could not reach here due to one reason or another. But they have given us a
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word that they will accept whatever decision is taken in the meeting,” said Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh, one of the deceased, who took the initiative.
“If the government fails to make any announcement on our demands by Saturday, all victim families will start a dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday,” said Gurpinder.
Vijay Kumar, brother-in-law of Surjit Mainka, another victim, said, “We will reach along with our children at Jantar Mantar.”
For negotiating, the families have formed an eight-member committee.
According to those present at the meeting, though some families suggested that they ask for DNA reports from the government as evidence of death, a majority said such a demand would bear no fruit.
Most however agreed that they would press their demands as sessions of both the Parliament and the Punjab assembly are going on.