Raipur: For nearly a year, the family of a Chhattisgarh policeman who died in an encounter with Maoists, was hounded for Rs 10,000 given for his last rites.
After outrage and protests, the police today said they would not press the family for the money anymore. The officer who had sent notices to the family has been suspended.
Kishore Pandey, a special police officer, was killed in 2011. The police then gave his family Rs 10,000 for his funeral, from a welfare fund. As a police informer, Kishore drew Rs 5,000 as salary and his family needed the financial help.
When the family was later given Rs 5 lakh compensation, the police did not deduct the Rs 10,000 given earlier because of a clerical mistake.
The family alleges that since last year, the police have been demanding the extra money back. The first notice was sent in June last year and the second, earlier this week.
A senior officer has been asked to explain why the family was harassed.
"We should respect the memory of a martyr and help his family...give them some relief. To give them such notices, is not fair. We will give them all help," said Chief Minister Raman Singh, whose administration acted swiftly after spiraling criticisim.
The opposition Congress had alleged insult to the martyr and his family.