UP government announces Rs 5 lakh each for kin of Hashimpura victims

After two months of dilly dallying, the Uttar Pradesh government has finally decided to come to the assistance of the 42 Muslim families whose bread winners were gunned down by policemen 28 years ago.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday evening declared a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to families affected in Hashimpura and Maliyana incidents in Meerut district in 1987.

The announcement came a day after the state government decided to challenge the 1987 Hashimpura massacre case verdict in Delhi High Court, almost two months after a sessions court gave benefit of doubt and acquitted 16 former Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel accused of killing 48 people in Meerut.

The decision reportedly came following the threat issued by the Akhilesh government’s most powerful minister Azam Khan to stage a protest demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on May 23 against the state’s continued silence on the issue over the past two months.

Khan had been repeatedly reminding his mentor and ruling Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav of the implications of ignoring the Hashimpura victims who were demanding an appeal against the trial court’s order which was seen by them as “gross miscarriage of justice.”

Whenever Chief Minister Akhilesh was confronted on the issue, he too pleaded: “We will ensure justice for Hashimpura victims, but the strategy to be adopted would be finalized only after a detailed discussion with Netaji (Mulayam).”

That decision was taken on Wednesday. Khan was unavailable for comments even though sources close to him confirmed that the proposed demonstration in New Delhi would be called off.

"We expect the appeal to be filed on May 22 or May 25," Additional Advocate General Zafaryab Jilani said after a meeting of Muslim leaders in Lucknow with Mulayam.

Jeelani said a draft of the appeal has already been sent to the lawyers concerned in Delhi and the appeal will be filed immediately after getting their opinion.

"The state government wants to file the petition as soon as possible. Therefore, all efforts are on to ensure that it is filed before May 29, that is, before the court closes for summer recess," he said.

Additional Inputs: PTI