Rajnath calls 1984 riots 'genocide', asks CMs to disburse relief to victims

December 26, 2014 21:35

Hours after assuring that justice will prevail against those guilty, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday wrote to all chief ministers to take steps for immediate disbursement of compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims.

Describing the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 as a "genocide", Rajnath said several persons who had a "role" in the carnage are yet to be punished.

"It was not riot, it was genocide instead. Hundreds of innocent people were killed. The pain of the kin of riot victims cannot be compensated by even paying crores of rupees," Rajnath said after distributing cheques of enhanced compensation to the riot victims in Tilak Vihar area of west Delhi.

"In these incidents (anti-Sikh riots), there are several persons who are yet to be punished. I have faith in our judicial system and these persons will definitely get punishment."

"I know that until these persons are punished, victims will not get relief. I want to assure that government is with you and will be with you in even bad days," Singh said.

The Union minister distributed cheques of Rs 5 lakh to 17 kin of the riot victims at a function here.

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