While February 28 is the last date for submitting applications for damage claims, claims commissioner for D.J. Halli violence Justice (retd.) H.S. Kempanna said his office has received only three applications so far, reported The Hindu.
In contrast, more than 50 FIRs have been filed in D.J. Halli and K.G. Halli police stations for property damage during the violence.
Interestingly, Pulikeshi Nagar MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, whose home was partially burnt down, is also yet to make an application claiming damages.
“We have taken several measures to create awareness about the process. We have given advertisements in newspapers and put up posters in D.J. Halli and K.G. Halli. But the response has been lukewarm. I appeal to people who have suffered damages to submit their applications to us. We will get it independently valued by valuators and submit a report to the High Court, which will take measures to recover damages from the individuals and organisations found culpable for violence,” said Justice Kempanna.
Massive protests and violence erupted on 11 August, after angry Muslim mobs incensed over a Facebook post insulting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the lack of police complicity in filing an FIR, resorted to arson. The incident resulted in the death of four young Muslim men in police firing and the arrests of hundreds of others. The derogatory post was posted on Facebook by Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy’s nephew.
Police have filed 75 FIRs, of which two cases that invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Most of the remaining cases pertain to property damage during the violence.
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Rushda Fathima Khan is the Staff Reporter for The Cognate.
