Kin of slain men given financial aid: CRPF

NEW DELHI: The Central Reserve Police Force said on Friday that all the families of the soldiers killed in the February 14, 2019, Pulwama attack except one have been paid all financial dues and benefits, with amounts ranging from ~2-3 crore for each family. In addition, all the families are getting last pay drawn as monthly pension, it said.

One next-of-kin of a slain Pulwama trooper— Head Constable, Vijay Soreng, a resident of Jharkhand — has not received the financial benefits yet because the case pertaining to establishing Soreng’s legal heir is currently sub-judice, said a statement by the Central Armed Police Force.

“Over and above, all the Nextof-kins (Noks) of martyrs have been paid the entire donations as token of gratitude to our martyrs,” the CRPF said on Friday.

The payments are part of government assistance and donations collected through Bharat Ke Veer initiative, a Union government scheme to crowd fund money to pay families of martyrs of all central paramilitary forces.

In addition, Noks of 19 Pulwama soldiers have been allotted residential flats by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, while 21 other cases are being processed.

Similarly, Reliance Foundation has transferred educational assistance to the accounts of Noks of 27 soldiers based on their need. Five cases educational assistance are under active consideration, said CRPF statement.

The family members of 17 soldiers have also been offered jobs by different state governments.

“We, in CRPF, continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with near and dear ones of our martyrs. We reiterate that the Noks of our martyrs continue to be part of CRPF family,” the CRPF said.

The Director General of CRPF, Dr A P Maheshwari, said, “We pay our heartfelt tribute to all the martyrs...we do care for our people. Families of martyrs are well looked after. We reiterate our commitment to serve the nation and residents with renewed zeal and preparedness.”