Kolkata, 20 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced in the State Assembly that the government will provide financial compensation to the families of those killed and injured in the July 21, 1993 police firing in accordance with the recommendations of the Justice (Retd.) Sushanta Chatterjee Commission.

The Chief Minister said that the state government would pay Rs 25 lakh to the family of each person killed in the firing and Rs 5 lakh to every injured victim from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

While tabling the commission's report in the Assembly, Adhikari alleged that although the commission had recommended the same compensation, the previous Trinamool Congress government had failed to implement its recommendations. He claimed that the families of those killed were paid only Rs 2 lakh each, while the injured received just Rs 15,000 each.

The Chief Minister said his government was committed to implementing the commission's recommendations and ensuring that all eligible families receive the prescribed financial assistance. He also announced that the state government would facilitate the registration of fresh FIRs if the affected families wished to pursue further legal action in connection with the incident.

Referring to the commission's findings, Adhikari said the report concluded that the police firing on July 21, 1993, was unwarranted. He added that the government's objective was not only to provide financial relief but also to ensure justice for the victims' families.

The Chief Minister also indicated that several other important inquiry and audit reports would be tabled in the State Assembly in the coming days.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh