People's Democracy

CPI(M) Extends Financial Support To The Victims Of Gujarat Pogrom

A FUNCTION was held in Ahmedabad on August 26, 2007, where on behalf of the CPI(M), financial assistance was given to 15 persons who were among the victims of the horrific communal carnage in Gujarat in 2002.

The CPI(M) had collected funds for providing relief and rehabilitation of those who suffered in the violence. It was decided to extend financial assistance to those who did not get any compensation.

Polit Bureau member and MP Brinda Karat distributed the amount to the 15 persons. Eleven of these persons were given a cheque of Rs one lakh each. Among them four had lost their main bread-earners in the carnage.The remaining four persons were given Rs 50,000 each.

One of them was a widow of Shahjahan Kausar Ali Shaikh, who was burnt alive in the Best Bakery incident. Seven others were seriously injured thereby not able to lead a normal life. One of them was Husenabibi Ghulambhai Shaikh from Pandharwada, who received 70 per cent burns due to chemicals thrown on her. Shaikh Azharuddin Imamuddin from Ramol was seriously injured and completely handicapped.

Brinda Karat spoke in the meeting organised on this occasion. Teesta Setalvad of the ‘Citizens for Justice and Peace’ reported on the grim plight of the victims of the communal carnage. CPI(M) Gujarat unit secretary Arun Mehta also spoke. (INN)