By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Almost four months after the Williamnagar Jail incident, the State Government is yet to pay any ex gratia payment to the next of kin of the two slain staff – Neil Warjri and SS Thabah – as was promised by the government.
Initially the government had assured that it would pay Rs 7.5 lakh as ex gratia, but later, the amount was revised to Rs 1 lakh. However, under pressure, the government later made it clear that the amount of Rs 7.5 lakh would be paid in installment indicating that Rs 1 lakh would be the first installment.
Despite all the claims, the first installment has still not been released to the family of the victims, despite the assurance by the Home (Jail) Minister Roshan Warjri in the Assembly last month.
“It has been almost four months now since the terrible incident shook our family but till date, we are yet to get a single penny as ex gratia from the government,” family members of (L) Neil Warjri said.
“We have to think of the wife and kids of the victims who lost their husband and father who was the sole bread earner for the family,” Warjri’s relative said, adding that they are yet to approach the State Government in this regard.
The relatives also mentioned that they only received a letter from the government recently asking them to go to Williamnagar but nothing was mentioned about the ex gratia payment.
“We haven’t gone to Williamnagar and will do that in the days to come,” the family member added.