Kin of victims in Rajiv case call on PM, Sonia, Rahul

Family members of four victims who were killed along with former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in the suicide attack on him in May 1991 have met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, seeking assistance in education and jobs.
The relatives of the victims, who included three police personnel, also met Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Vadra in New Delhi last week and pleaded for financial assistance, Jothi Ramalingam, a Congress leader who coordinated the visit, said.
The relatives included S Abbas, son of Samdhani Begum, the then South Chengelpet District Mahila Congress President, T D Rajkumar, son of police constable Dharman, John Joseph, brother of Inspector Edward Joseph, and Govindarajulu, brother of Subinspector Ethirajulu.

They also apprised the Prime Minister about a review petition filed by them against the Supreme Court order commuting the death sentence of three convicts -- Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan.
"Everyone, including the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi gave a very patient hearing," Ramalingam told PTI today.
Claiming that some of the family members of the victims had received anonymous threat calls, he said it was brought to the notice of the Prime Minister.
They were assured of support and help "in every possible manner in all issues of concern," he added.
Rajiv Gandhi and 18 others were killed in a suicide bomb attack by a woman LTTE cadre during an election rally at Sriperumpudur near here on May 21, 1991.