Mamata offers Rs 10 lakh compensation to families of Pahalgam, Udhampur attack victims from state

PTI,  KOLKATA, APRIL 26, 2025 : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the three persons from the state killed in the Pahalgam terror attack and to the next of kin of the Army havildar killed in the Udhampur encounter.

Mamata added that the state government would also offer a job to the wife of Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh from Tehatta in Nadia district. The Chief Minister also said the state government would provide Rs 10,000 pension to the father of Bitan Adhikari, one of the Pahalgam victims.

"A monthly pension of Rs 10,000 will be provided to Adhikari's father. The Rs 10 lakh compensation for the family will be divided equally, with Rs 5 lakh going to his wife and Rs 5 lakh to his parents," she said.

It deserves mention here that the Chief Minister on Wednesday said the state cabinet had adopted a condolence resolution to mourn the deaths of 26 people in the Pahalgam terror attack. She strongly condemned the attack and demanded the harshest possible punishment for those responsible.

"Terrorism has no religion, no caste — you cannot forgive them," she said. "I cannot believe that such a prolonged terror strike took place. From what we’re hearing, the assailants selected their victims before killing them. There were so many Army personnel present. It’s a border area. I will not speak much on this now. What we want is strong action against those behind this," Mamata had stated.

The Chief Minister had assured that the families of the three victims from West Bengal would receive full assistance from the state government.