Mamata Banerjee announces ex-gratia for Pahalgam terror attack victims, fallen soldier Jhhantu Ali Sheikh's family
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of three persons, who lost their lives in the dastardly terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, and the family of Indian army havilar Jhhantu Ali Sheikh's family.
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Three persons lost their lives in the terror attack in Pahalgam while Ali was martyred during an ambush during an anti-terror operation in Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack.
Banerjee said Ali's wife will be offered a job by the state government. Banerjee has also announced a pension of Rs 10,000 per month to deceased Bitan Adhikari's father and health card Swasthya Sathi for him.
Three persons from West Bengal, who had gone to Kashmir to spend their holidays in Kashmir, were among the people who got killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran valley on Tuesday.
Banerjee said, "I have spoken to the parents of Bitan Adhikari. The parents depended on Bitan and they are elderly citizens. I have arranged a pension of Rs 10000 for Bitan's father for his medicines and a Swasthya Sathi Health card will be given in his name for medical treatment. The compensation, which is Rs 10 lakh, will be divided and Rs five lakh each to his wife and parents will be offered."
Adhikari, a software professional in the USA's Florida, was on a family trip with his wife and their 3-year-old child to Kashmir. Adhikari hailed from Kolkata's Patuli. He was the sole earner of the family and the elderly parents have told media that they depended on him financially.
The other two victims Samir Guha from Sakher Bazar in Kolkata and Manish Ranjan from Jhalda in Purulia will also receive Rs 10 lakh each.
Meanwhile, the body of
Army Havildar Jhantu Ali Sheikh
, who died in an encounter between security forces and terrorists following a search operation in Jammu and Kashmir, was brought to his home in Nadia district.
Sheikh is survived by his parents, wife, two children-a daughter and a son and elder brothers. Ali's elder brother is also serving in the Indian Army.
The mortal remains of the martyred para-Commander Jhantu Ali Sheikh was brought to his native village on Saturday at Tehatta in Nadia district. Ali was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week,
Banerjee said she also spoke to Ali's wife, who wants a job. "She has passed Class-XII and we will give her a job. Anyone, among other victims, who wants a job will also be provided. Arrangements for Ali's children's education will also be made in Kolkata. I have spoken to Ali's widow."
The widow, along with their children, used to reside at the staff quarter at the Agra Cantonment in Uttar Pradesh and study in the army school.
West Bengal Chief Minister also announced a monthly honorarium to all SSC Group C and D staffers from a state government scheme, who have lost their jobs.
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