The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved Rs 60 lakh compensation to the Sikh community who had lost their property during the Sikh-Khasi clashes in Shillong in the months of May and June this year.
Protests and violent clashes were reported from various localities of the city following an altercation between a Khasi boy and a few women from the Punjabi Lane area in Shillong on May 31.
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According to multiple sources including police officers, district officials and residents, the violence began when a boy, who was on a government-run bus that was being driven by a relative, was assaulted by some residents of Them Iew Mawlong following an altercation with a woman.
Rumours circulated on the social media platforms had fuelled mob fury and led to day-long riots in the State capital of Meghalaya.
Concerned about security threat to Sikhs in Shillong, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had sent a four member team headed by Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa to Shillong to take stock of the damage caused to the members of the Sikh community due to the clash.
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A report published on Wednesday by TOI stated that since the Sikh community had requested for monetary compensation from the Punjab delegation, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had directed that the affected Sikhs be provided requisite amount from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
On Tuesday, the Punjab Cabinet approved relaxation in instructions of the Relief and Resettlement Department, the report added.
Out of the total compensation amount of Rs 60 lakh, Rs 50 lakh would be provided for reconstruction of Khalsa Middle School at Bara Bazar in Shillong as its old building was declared unsafe, it further stated.
A compensation amount of Rs 2 lakh would reportedly be provided to Sangam Singh of Punjabi Colony at Bara Bazar for the damage caused to his shop in the violence.
Monetary assistance of Rs 3 lakh would be offered to Gurmeet Singh as his scooty showroom was set on fire during the clashes.
As per the report, a compensation amount of Rs 5 lakh would be given to Sangam Singh for the loss of his truck during the clashes.