The aggrieved family members of Late Tsering Wangdi, who was one, among the three killed in the recent anti-Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) agitation here, has also refused to accept the ex gratia announced by the State government and demanded the security personnel responsible for the “murder” be handed over to them.
Wangdi, 32, had lost his life along with Biki Ruja, 20, in protests near chief minister Pema Khandu’s private bungalow on February 24.
22-year-old Russo Tari of Kurung Kumey district was the other person who was allegedly killed in the police firing last week.
The families of both Ruja and Tari have also denied to accept the ex gratia and government job announced by the government and demanded those responsible for the “murder” be produced before them.
Addressing media persons at the Press Club here, Jyoti Kamda, wife of late Wangdi, said that she has lost the only person who was earning bread and butter for the entire family and also looking after her ill father by running a small shop at Niti Vihar here.
“I seek “justice” for my late husband who was “intentionally murdered” and not compensation or government job. We were living a content and sustainable life with a low source of income. We were happy with that,” Jyoti said while adding that her husband had sacrificed his life for the indigenous people of State.
Jyoti said that following the death of her husband in the firing, the police without informing the family members, took Wangdi’s body to the Lakhimpur government hospital in Assam for a post mortem.
“His (Wangdi’s) body was taken to the Lakhimpur hospital on the same day he was murdered, however, there is no post mortem report till now,” Jyoti said while adding that the body was in a decomposed condition when it was handed over to the family.
“It was a hectic process as I had to go through a lot of harassment from the police personnel even to meet my own husband,” Jyoti said.
She further said that, the stand of the family members is clear and they will not receive any kind of ex gratia or compensation from the government until justice is provided to them.
Tashi Kamda, the father in law of late Wangdi, raised questions on the intention of the security personnel on duty and the one(s) who had granted permission to them to shoot at the protestors.
“The person(s) who issued the firing order must be held responsible of the deaths. How can one be shot at on the chest as the security personnel are usually only permitted to shoot at the legs, that to in serious and exceptional cases?” Kamda questioned.
My son in law was not a terrorist and was only standing tall for the indigenous rights and supporting the movement. He fought for the people’s rights and sacrificed his life so he deserves justice, Kamda added.
Following the deaths of Tari, Ruja and Wangdi during the anti-PRC agitation, chief minister Khandu had on February 25 announced ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the families of those who succumbed to their injuries during the protests in the capital complex, along with the assurance of providing government jobs to the next of kin of the deceased.
The chief minister had also announced ex gratia of up to Rs 10 lakh for those who were injured in the clashes that took place between February 21 and 26.