1984 riot-hit families block highway in Mohali

Our Correspondent

Mohali, December 6 

Members of the 1984 riot-affected families blocked the National Highway near the Phase VI Civil Hospital here today after they were stopped by the police from proceeding to the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh.

The protesters, including women,  raised slogans against the government and blocked the traffic on the main road leading to Chandigarh.They had planned to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence.  

The SDM and a DSP reached the scene and tried to persuade the protesters to disperse. However, they demanded direct talks with the Chief Minister on their demands. 

The AISSF, led by Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad, expressed support to the protesters. The protesters,  who were led by Surjit Singh Dugri and Gurdeep Kaur, said they had not got justice even after three decades. They had hoped that the Modi government at the Centre would help them get justice but that had not happened even after two years. They also demanded the implementation of various decisions taken by the Punjab Government  for their benefit. The protesters further said some certain Congress leaders, who were allegedly involved in the riots, had not been punished and the victims were yet to be properly rehabilitated. They said a sum of Rs 2 lakh each released  for the victims by the Centre had also not yet reached all beneficiaries.