The All India Anti-Terrorist Victims’ Association has called on the central government to immediately disburse a long-pending relief package for families impacted by terrorism in Punjab. The association alleges that thousands of eligible beneficiaries have been awaiting justice for nearly two decades despite repeated assurances from successive governments.
Meeting Highlights Failure to Deliver Compensation
At a meeting held at Company Bagh in Amritsar on July 26, 2026, association members outlined the plight of victims’ families. They noted that the relief package, first announced after the submission of the Nanavati Commission report, has yet to reach a significant number of those entitled to it. The commission had investigated the causes and impact of terrorism in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s.
Association president Dr. Bodh Raj Hastir stated that after the central government announced compensation following the Nanavati Commission report, the Punjab government released funds worth Rs 715 crore in 2006. However, many victims were left out of that disbursement.
Proposal Stalled Despite State Government Efforts
To address the omissions, the Punjab government prepared another proposal and forwarded it to the Centre. According to the association, that proposal has never been executed. Dr. Hastir claimed that thousands of families who suffered due to terrorism between 1982 and 1995 were either displaced or lost their livelihoods. He added that many continue to struggle financially and have not received adequate compensation.
“Widows and other dependents of terror victims deserve financial assistance on the lines of relief granted in similar cases elsewhere in the country,” Dr. Hastir said.
Unfulfilled Promises from 2022 Prime Ministerial Visit
Referring to the Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab in 2022, Hastir recalled that victims were given assurances regarding the constitution of a Truth Commission and additional financial assistance. He urged the Centre to fulfill that commitment without further delay.
Pathankot Housing Board Colony Residents Await Rehabilitation Policy
The association also highlighted the plight of families living in the Pathankot Housing Board Colony, where many people displaced by militancy were rehabilitated under security cover. Even after more than three decades, several families are still awaiting a comprehensive rehabilitation policy from the Punjab government.
Call for Urgent Action
Appealing to the Union government to expedite the release of the pending package, the association said timely financial assistance would provide long-awaited relief to thousands of families bearing the brunt of terrorism. The association continues to push for justice, emphasizing that the delay has compounded the suffering of victims who have already endured decades of hardship.
