M A I N   N E W S

2.72 cr relief for kin of custodial death victims
S.S. Negi
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, November 11
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today ordered the Punjab Government to pay Rs 2.72-crore compensation to the kin of 109 persons who had died in custody during militancy, holding that the state was liable to make monetary amends for infringement on their right to life.

The state government was directed to pay Rs 2.5 lakh to the kin of each victim in the three police districts of Amritsar, Majitha and Tarn Taran within two months through the district magistrates, who would ensure disbursement of the money through the sub-divisional magistrates concerned.

“We hold the state of Punjab liable to make monetary amends in this regard,” the NHRC panel comprising Chairman Justice A.S. Anand, Justices Y. Bhaskar Rao and R.S. Kalha said.

Giving its verdict on a batch of petitions referred to it by the Supreme Court for deciding the compensation issue, the NHRC said 25 victims were detected by the CBI in Amritsar district, 54 in Majitha and 30 in Tarn Taran.

The government was directed to pay 50 per cent of the amount to each awardee in cash or through cheque and deposit the remaining 50 per cent in their name in fixed accounts for five years from which they would be entitled to withdraw the annual interest earned on it.

Asking the government to submit its compliance report after two months, the commission said the order “shall be binding” on the state as directed by the apex court.

The Committee for Coordination on Disappearance (CCDP) in Punjab had filed 1,600 claims before the commission, which had invited applications from victims’ kin in July.

Since the NHRC in today’s order had taken cognisance of 109 cases, hope for other victims is not over yet as further hearing in the matter has been fixed on December 23, CCDP counsel P.S. Grewal said.

Though the NHRC refrained from expressing opinion about the culpability of any police official for the mass custodial deaths for reasons that it might prejudice the ongoing CBI probe in these cases.

“A critical task of striking a fair balance by way of security concerns and human rights is to be performed and need of proportionality must not be ignored... the state cannot be permitted to go over board and in effect declare a war on the civil liberties of people because the rationale of anti-terrorism measures is aimed at protecting human rights and democracy,” it said, adding that “counter-terrorism measures should therefore not undermine democratic values or subvert the rule of law.”

The commission in a compassionate appeal to both Punjab Government and the people of the state reminded that the state had gone through a “turmoil” during militancy and with their united efforts it was able to come out of it and the order on compensation should be “treated as an application of balm to whatever wounds are still left and to engage themselves to make the state more prosperous and peaceful in keeping with its great traditions.”

The order on compensation “should not be considered in the spirit of ‘win’ or ‘loose’ as, indeed, it is not meant to be so construed,” the NHRC said.

Amritsar Police District: Sr.No. CBI No. Name of deceased, parentage and address 1. 53/1 Tejinder Singh s/o Roor Singh r/o Tharu, PS Tarn Taran City, Dist Amritsar 2. 88/6 Nishan Singh s/o Bahal Singh r/o Ranian, PS Lopoke, Ajnala Dist, Amritsar 3. 121/7 Parminder Singh @ Balour S/o Amrik Singh Jat r/o Kalia Sakatra, P.S. Khemkaran, Amritsar 4. 122/8 Harinder Singh @ Shaheed s/o Pyara Singh r/o Kohali, PS Lopoke, Ajnala Dist, Amritsar 5. 160/11 Dalbir Singh s/o Karnail Singh r/o Bal Saran, PS Beas, Phatak Dhanpai Road, PS Islamabad, Amritsar 6. 161/12 Rajinder Singh s/o Preetam Singh r/o Gali No. 13, Guru Nanak Pura, PS Islamabad, Dist Amritsar 7. 162/13 Vijay Kumar s/o Joginder Pal r/o Near Jwala Flour Mills, PS Islamabad, Amritsar. 8. 163/14 Harish Chander s/o Inderjit r/o Nawan Kot, PS Islamabad 9. 167/16 Arjinder Pal Singh @ Toni @ Nihal Singh s/o Chain Singh Jat r/0 Kasel, Mane KI Patti, Sarai Amanat Khan, The TTN, P S Sadar, Dist Amritsar 10. 201/25 Daljit Singh @ Billa s/o Sucha Singh r/o Mohalla Bog, Phagwara 11. 202/25 Gurinder Singh @ Jinda s/o Bhakshish Singh Jat s/o Basarke Gillan, PS Chheharta, Dist Amritsar 12. 218/27 Kashmir Singh @ Laddu s/o Kundan Singh r/o Nehru Colony, Amritsar 13. 220/28 Jaspal Singh s/o Preetam Singh r/o Mustafabad, Batala Road, PS Sadar, Dist Amritsar 14. 263/33 Avtar Singh s/o Dalip Singh r/o Kot Khalsa, PS Sadar, Amritsar 15. 266/34 Amrik Singh @ Bau @ Fakkar s/o Jagir Singh r/o Kirtangarh, Thandey, PS Sadar, Dist Amritsar 16. 273/36 Harjinder Singh @ Kala s/o Sadhu Singh r/o Amritsar, Shahid Udham Singh Nagar, Gali No. 2, Dist Amritsar 17. 292/44 Sucha Singh @ Charan s/o Mohinder Singh r/o Chhina Subjpur PS Raja Sansi, Ajnala Dist Amritsar 18. 313/50 Udham Singh s/o Gajjan Singh r/o Thathgarh, PS Jhabal, Dist Amritsar 19. 350/62 Randhir Singh @ Dhir Singh s/o Chanan Singh r/o Pairewal, PO & PS Ramdas, Ajnala Dist Amritsar 20. 352/63 Mohinder Singh s/o Mohan Singh r/o Sultanwind 21. 363/67 Piara Singh s/o Shingara Singh Jat r/o Sultanwind, Amritsar 22. 379/69 Jhujar Singh @ Neetu s/o Heera Singh r/o Gali No. 1, Anterzami Colony, PS A-Division, Dist Amritsar 23. 198/32 Swaran Singh S/o Lal SinghR/o Talwandi, Jalle Khan, PS Zira, Amritsar 24. 199/33 Daljit Singh s/o Saudagar Singh R/o V Chhapa, PS Chabal, Amritsar. 25. 219/37 Inderjit Singh S/o Harbhajan Singh JatR/o Shangana, PS Sadar, Amritsar

Majitha Police District: 26. 93/4 Jaswinder Singh, S/o Darshan Singh Arora, R/o Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar 27. 95/2 Randhir Singh @ Dhira, S/o Mann Singh Jat R/o Munda Pind, PS Jandiala. 28. 100/6 Jaswant Singh ,S/o Chanan Singh, R/o Sharifpura, District Amritsar 29. 124/13 Sukhdev Singh @ Sukha S/o Pyara Singh,R/o Tarsikka, PS Majitha. 30 233/34 Raghbir Singh @ Bira S/o Pratap Singh,R/o Runseeke, PS & Tehsil Derra Baba Nanak, Dist Gurdaspur, Punjab. 31. 234/25 Nirmal Singh @ Bittu S/o Mohinder Singh, R/o Runseeke, Ramgarian PS & Tehsil Derra Baba Nanak, Dist Gurdaspur, Punjab. 32. 239/26 Satnam Singh, S/o Ajit Singh Jat, R/o Bhagupur, PS Patti, Police District Tarn Taran, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 33. 253/30 Kartar Singh @ Fauji, S/o Buta Singh Mazbi, R/o Adaliwal, PS Raja Sansi, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 34. 255/31 Mangal Singh @ Bittu, S/o Kartar Singh caste Mazbi R/o Adaliwal, PS Raja Sansi, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 35. 262/32 Gurmail Singh @ Gullu @ Pappu @ Udhna Sup S/o Naranjan Singh, R/o Village Cheema Bath, PS Beas, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 36. 263/33 Prem Singh @ Prema S/o Mohinder Singh, R/o Village Cheema Bath, PS Beas, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 37. 270/36 Lakhwinder Singh, S/o Balwant Singh, R/o Sathiali PS Kahnuwan District Gurdaspur 38. 272/37 Narinder Singh @ Ninda, S/o Rattan Singh, R/o Bham, PS Shri Har Gobindpur, Batala, Dist Gurdaspur, Punjab. 39. 274/39 Baljit Singh @ Chhota , S/o Gurdit Singh, R/o Nangli , PS Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 40. 284/42 Swaran Singh @ Swarana, S/o Dhian Singh Jat , R/o Mandranwala, Po & PS Ramdas, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 41. 298/44 Randhir Singh @ Dhira s/o Chanan Singh Jat R/o Natibpura, Model Town, Division No. VI, Jalandhar, Punjab. 42. 311/50 Gurinder Singh @ Hira , S/o Major Singh Jat, R/o Nagoke, PS Verowal, Tehsil Tarn Taran, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 43. 316/51 Narinder Singh, S/o Manga Singh Jat, R/o Jalalpura, PS Majitha, Tehsil & Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 44. 322/52 Mangal Singh @ Manga, S/o Sohan Singh Jat, R/o Village of Arjun Manga, PS Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 45. 327/54 Paramjit Singh, S/o Avtar Singh, R/o Udhowali 46. 332/55 Surta Singh, S/o Malook Singh Jat, R/o Harar Kalan, PO,PS & Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 47. 343/56 Kewal Singh, S/o Hazara Singh, R/o Village Kiampur 48. 344/57 Paramjit Singh @ Kala, Ranjha, S/o Hazara Singh, R/o Chhina Shahbazpur. 49. 348/58 Balwant Rai @ Gulu @ Gurdit Singh, S/o Harichand Arora, R/o Khilchian 50. 349/59 Balkar Singh, S/o Mohinder Singh, Village Jabhowal District Amritsar. 51. 350/60 Gurjit Singh @ Phumman Singh, S/o Bhajan Singh, R/o Chajjalwadi, PS Jandiala, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 52. 371/68 Malkiat Singh @ Meeta, S/o Gulzar Singh Jat, R/o Rana Kala, PO Jabbowal, PS Jandiala Guru, Tehsil & Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 53. 372/69 Gurmukh Singh @ Gorkhi , S/o Veer Singh, R/o Jani ki Patti, Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 54. 375/70 Trilochan Singh, S/o Joginder Singh, R/o Doojowal, PS Ramdas, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 55. 378/73 Balwinder Singh S/o Ajit Singh Jat, R/o Village Nangli Nusehra, PS Sadar, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 56. 392/78 Angrej Singh, S/o Charan Singh Jat, R/o Jalal Usma, PS Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 57. 395/80 Gurdev Singh @ Bhutto S/o Harbans Singh, R/o Pakhoke, PS Tarn Taran (Sadar), Tehsil TarnTaran, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 58. 400/81 Lakhwinder Singh @ Lakha, S/o Surjit Singh Jat, R/o Chak Kamal Khan, PO Sorian, PS Ajnala, Tehsil & Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 59. 401/82 Harjit Singh @ Har singh Butter, S/o Kashmir Singh, R/o Buutar Kalan, Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 60. 415/89 Jagtar Singh @ Jagga, S/o Dilip Singh, R/o Kairon, PS Patti City, Tehsil Patti, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 61. 416/90 Sarwan Singh, S/o Mohinder Singh, R/o Village Makhi Margindpura, PS Bhikhiwind, Tehsil Patti, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 62. 417/91 Satnam Singh, S/o Jarnail Singh, R/o Kairon, PS Patti, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 63. 436/100 Sukhwinder Singh, S/o Dalip Singh Jat, R/o Manawala, PS Lopoke, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 64. 437/101 Sucha Singh, S/o Bhagwant Singh, R/o Madiawala, PO Bhilowal, PS Lopoke, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amrisar, Punjab. 65. 447/109 Sawinder Singh @ Shindu, S/o Shiv Singh, R/o Manga Sarai, PO Dhadde, PS Kathu Nangal, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 66. 449/111 Tarlochan Singh @ Husna, S/o Kishan Singh Jat, R/o Saidolehal, PS Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 67. 450/112 Paramjit Singh, S/o Jaswant Singh Jat, R/o Village Vachnova, PS Jhander Singh, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 68. 479/127 Baldev Singh @ Deva @ Fauji, S/o Buta Singh, R/o Basarke Baini, PS Chheharta, Tehsil & Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 69. 480/128 Dalbir Singh @ Kala, S/o Kulwant Singh, R/o Pallah, PO Gagar Bhana, PS Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 70. 481/129 Balwinder Singh, S/o Najar Singh.,R/o Pallah, PO Gagar Bhana, PS Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 71. 482/130 Shaib Singh, S/o Kahan Singh, R/o Chung, PO & PS Mehta, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 72. 525/145 Tarsem Singh @ Sema, S/o Meju Kaka Sansi , R/o Bhourwala, PO Mohan Bhandarian, PS Ramdas, Tehsil Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 73. 526/146 Anokh Singh, S/o Banta Singh, R/o Bindi Aulakh, PS Lopoke, Tehsil, Ajnala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 74. 608/170 Lakhwinder Singh @ Lakha, S/o Harbhajan Singh Ramgaria, R/o Chowgan PS Mattewal Chogawan, Tehsil Baba Bakala, Dist Amritsar, Punjab. 75. 611/171 Rupinder Singh @ Fauji, S/o Harbans Singh, R/o Borewal kang, PS Majhitha. 76. 207/25 Shri Kashmir Singh S/o Gulzar Singh JatR/oV Jhander, Tehsil Ajnala, Amritsar. 77. 330/41 Kulwinder Singh S/o Bawa Singh JatR/o Vill Dhardeo, PS Mehta, Majitha. 78. 396/58 Manjinder Singh @ Jinda S/o Thakur SinghR/o Village Pakhoke, Majitha. 79. 582/92 Sukhdev Singh @ Billa S/o Kishan SinghR/o Village Harian, PS K Nangal.

Tarn Taran Police District: 80. 37/99 Sarbjeet Singh S/o Tirath Singh Jat, r/o Nagoke, PS Verowal, Police District Tarn Taran, Amritsar. 81. 38/100 Gurbir Singh @ Raju S/o Joginder Singh Jat r/o Jhabal, PS Jhabal, Police District Tarn Taran, Amritsar 82. 48/121 Kuldip Singh @ Ghuggi S/o Kartar Singh Mehra r/o Chola Sahib, PS Sarhali, Police District Tarn Taran, Amritsar. 83. 49/122 Jassa Singh S/o Dharam Singh Majbi r/o Chola Sahib, PS Sarhali, Police District Tarn Taran, Amritsar. 84. 54/135 Darshan Singh S/o Dayal Singh Jat, r/o Mehmodpura, PS Valtoha, Police District, Tarn Taran. 85. 56/147 Balbir Singh @ Pappu S/o Mukhtiar Singh Jat, r/o Jella Roda, PS Mallanwala, District Ferozpur, Punjab. (However in CBI list, his name is mentioned as Balwinder Singh S/o Mukhtiar Singh) 86. 57/148 Dilbagh Singh @ Baba S/o Ram Singh Jat, r/o Koharka, PS Patti, Police District, Tarn Taran. 87. 72/183 Kashmir Singh S/o Dharam Singh Jat, r/o Jhander, PS Sadar Tarn Taran, Police District Tarn Taran, Amritsar. 88. 161/628 Inderjeet Singh @ Hardeep Singh @ Deepa S/o Karam Singh Jat , r/o Thatha, PO Sarhali Kalan, PS Harike, Tehsil Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 89. 169/655 Dilbagh Singh @ Bagha S/o Harnam Singh Mazbi, r/o Ratoul PS City, Tarn Taran District Amritsar. 90. 172/662 Manjinder Singh S/o Ajit Singh Jat, r/o Ratoul, PS City Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 91. 181/682 Kulwinder Singh @ Pappu S/o Jassa Singh Jat, r/o Valtoha, PS Valtoha, Police District Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 92. 186/695 Shri Manjit Singh @ Manna S/o Sardool Singh Jat, r/o Tanda, PS Sarhali, Police District Tarn Taran District, Amritsar. 93. 202/745 Harjit Singh S/o Amrik Singh Jat, r/o Sukhawala, PS Jandiala Guru, Police District Majitha, District Amritsar. 94. 205/773 Jatinder Singh S/o Jagir Singh Mehra, r/o Nurdi, Bazar Tarn Taran PS City Tarn Taran, Police District Tarn Taran, Amritsar. 95. 206/774 Salwant Singh @ Kulwant Singh S/o Tarlok Singh Jat, r/o Padri Kalan, PS Jhabal, Police District Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 96. 216/811 Parabhjot Singh @ Jyoti S/o Avtar Singh Jat , r/o Muradpur, PS City Tarn Taran, Police District, Tarn Taran. 97. 260/920 Gurnam Singh @ Palli S/o Mohinder Singh Swarnkar, r/o Gali Kaselian Wali, Nurdi Adda, Police Station - City Tarn Taran. 98. 261/925 Jagdeep Singh @ Makhan Singh S/o Pritam Singh Goldsmith, r/o Adda Nurdi, Tarn Taran, PS City Tarn Taran.. 99. 262/926 Jatinder Singh S/o Darbara Singh Jat, r/o Mehmoodpura, PS Valtoha, Police District Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 100 263/932 Rajinder Singh @ Bhupinder Singh Jat S/o Charan Singh Ramgarhia, r/o 3/36 Jandiala Road, Tarn Taran, PS Tarn Taran 101 264/933 Udham Singh @ Pastol Singh @ Bahadur Singh S/o Mehar Singh Ramgarhia, r/o Nanaksar, PS Tarn Taran, Police District Tarn Taran.. 102 266/942 Harbans Singh @ Kabal Singh S/o Santokh Singh Jat r/o Rasulpur, PS Tarn Taran (Sadar), Police District Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 103 305/101 Harbans Singh @ Bansa s/o Milkha Singh Jat r/o Uboke, PS Patti, Police District Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 104 319/104 Desa Singh S/o Amar Singh Majbi, r/o Raniwalah, PS Sirhali, Police District Tarn Taran , District Amritsar. 105 320/104 Shinda Singh S/o Bachan Singh Majbi, r/o Raniwalah, PS Sarhali, Police District Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 106 322/104 Mangal Singh @ Manga S/o Karnail Singh Majbi, r/o Dhunda, PS Gonidwal, Police District Tarn Taran, District Amritsar. 107 84/746 Shri Rupinderjit Singh S/o Bhajan Singh Jat, R/o Village Kang, Police Station Sadar Tarn Taran 108. 113/1030 Paramjit Singh @ Pamma s/o Narinder Singh JatR/o Bahmiwala, Police Station Patti, Tarn Taran. 109. 629/1073 To 634/1078 Jagtar Singh @ Jagga s/o Bawa Singh MehraR/o Village Tarsika, Police Station Mehta, Majitha.