Family of slain soldier refuses to accept Rs 20 lakh cheque

The family of a soldier, who was killed while thwarting an infiltration bid in Kashmir, has refused to accept Rs 20 lakh compensation offered by Uttar Pradesh government.
28-year-old Vishal Chaudhry, a resident of Randa village here, was one of two soldiers killed in the army operation in Naugam sector of Kashmir's Kupwara district that also left two militants dead.
The cheque was delivered here yesterday after his last rites were performed, the family said.
They demanded that the amount be raised to Rs 50 lakh and a government job be given to one of the family members.
They also said that a petrol pump or a cooking gas agency should be alloted to his widow.

However, Additional District Magistrate Arvind Pandey claimed that the family has accepted the cheque after he assured them of conveying their demands to the state government.