‘Peace Committees’ set up in every Mohalla to restore confidence of Riots affected Victims: Delhi Government tells Delhi HC

A status report has been filed in Delhi High Court on behalf of the District Magistrate (North-East), Government of NCT of Delhi, in the matter of Rahul Roy vs GNCTD & Ors. This was pursuant to the order of the Delhi High Court.

The Delhi Govt enhanced/revised the scales for grant of ex-gratia relief in various eventualities on 28th Feb 2020 which were revised by the Cabinet again 5th March 2020

The status report stated that the Hon’ble Chief Minister along with other officers has been monitoring meetings with the Government officers and NGOs which are associated with the relief work. The relief measures being taken up by the Govt of Delhi are also being monitored by District Magistrate, the petitioner Rahul Roy himself, along with other agencies. Orders have been issued to Department of Health, PWD, Delhi police , Power Department, etc to attend these meetings.

Safe passage for bodies of victims who died in the riots was provided and SDM’s were deployed to coordinate and consult the relatives of the victims. Control rooms have been set up which function round the clock and help line numbers were set up.

SDM’s have been allocated areas to oversee the relief, rehabilitation and support activities and also been nominated to work as Night Magistrates and patrol the riot- affected areas.

Night shelters have been set up in various divisions as relief camps for riot victims, where they’re being helped with basic amenities and early payment of compensation. The Peace Committees were set up in every Mohalla to hold regular meetings to restore the confidence of the victims affected in the riot.

Amenities like food, refreshments, etc have been provided in all the riot affected areas at different locations, and tehsildars have been deployed for this purpose.
Publicity of the relief measures for the riot affected persons has been done by the government by giving two full page advertisements in Hindi, Urdu , punjabi and English leading newspapers and through social media.

With reference to the legal relief, the Law and Judicial Department has been ensuring that their help lines work 24*7 for the next 2 weeks with roster being prepared of advocates available to immediately attend calls and cater to legal aid requirements of victims. Access to the Amicus Curia appointed by the High Court, Ms. Zubeda Begum has been facilitated by publicising it through print, electronic and social media.

Regarding medical relief, Medical superintendents have been nominated as Nodal Officers to ensure preparation of medico legal certificates and post mortem reports. Counselling to the riot- affected persons has been facilitated.

With reference to compensatory relief, team of doctors have been deployed for immediate classification of nature of injuries to victims to process their amount of compensation. Meetings have been taken with the Insurance Companies to decide the modalities for processing the insurance companies, and relevant details are being provided by the Transport department for processing of compensation. Efforts have been made by the Government to get the compensation forms filled for early payment of compensation.

The Government of NCT of Delhi, also annexed other important particulars with the status report, like the Cabinet decisions regarding the grant of reliefs, minutes of meetings held to monitor relief and rehabilitation, advertisements published and pamphlets distributed by the government.