Oppn for more grants to kin of 27 Pb natives killed in Iraq

The Punjab opposition had a run-in today with the ruling Congress in state assembly over their demand of Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of 27 state natives killed in Iraq by IS after their abduction with other Indians there in 2014.

The run-in took place despite Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announcing a compensation to the victim families earlier as per the state policy and even agreeing to examine the policy to ascertain the feasibility of enhancing the compensation.

Immediately after the question hour on the third day of the ongoing budget session in Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, the Leader of Opposition and AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira raised the issue of compensation to the families of 27 state natives out of 39 Indians killed in Iraq.

He urged Singh to announce a compensation of Rs one crore and a government job to one member each of the victims' families on humanitarian ground.

Describing the death of Indians in Iraq as "tragic," Singh said as far as the compensation in the matter is concerned, there a "standard procedure" for it.

"We will certainly look into our policy and compensate," CM announced on the floor of the House.

The chief minister said the bodies of Indians killed in Iraq were expected to reach Amritsar within a week.

"I was told by the Union minister that there was a problem in the release of bodies because of some legal aspect in Mosul," he further said.

Speaking on the matter, Siromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the issue of compensation as a "serious and sensitive" matter and sought maximum compensation from the Punjab government.

"It is the responsibility of the Punjab government towards people of the state," he said adding "these families were very poor."