Slain UP scribe's family to call off protest as Akhilesh Yadav govt offers Rs 30 lakh compensation

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday accepted the three demands of the kin of slain Shahjahanpur journalist, including Rs 30 lakh financial aid and government jobs, following which the family said they will call off their agitation. The family members of Jagendra Singh today met UP Chief Minister Akhilseh Yadav and put their demands before him. [caption id=“attachment_2307240” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Jagendra Singh. Image courtesy: Singh’s Facebook page[/caption] The chief minister announced Rs 30 lakh compensation, government jobs to his two sons and also assured of speedy justice in the alleged murder. “CM has announced Rs 30 lakh financial assistance to family of journalist Jagendra Singh during meeting with his father and son here besides promising jobs to two of his wards,” an official spokesman said here. Yadav also assured of justice, saying that impartial and unbiased probe will be done. “The probe has been handed over to DIG, Bareilly and those guilty would be punished. The family will also be provided adequate security,” the CM said in the meeting. During the meeting, the family members of the slain journalist told chief minister about their land, which they said was allegedly grabbed. Yadav directed the District Magistrate, Shahjahanpur to look into the matter. Later, Jagendra’s father Sumer Singh told media,“We had three demands– financial assistance, government jobs and justice in the case. The CM has accepted all the three demands. We are happy that CM paid heed.” Jagendra’s son Rahul Singh said that the stir will end tomorrow as the family’s demands have been met. “We narrated the whole incident to him (CM), we also told him who all are guilty and all those who were involved and nothing has been done yet. “He (CM) told us to keep courage as the probe is underway and it will be an unbiased. Probe has been given to the DIG of Bareilly. And the CM said that the probes that they had done in the past were unbiased. We gave the names of the accused and he assured us that they will be arrested in three days. “Financial aid of Rs 30 lakh has been given to us, we two brothers have been given government jobs and pension for our mother. Our strike will end tomorrow,” he said. A freelance journalist, Singh, was allegedly set on fire on June 1 during a police raid at his house at Awas Vikas colony in Sadar Bazar area of Shahjananupr. He died during treatment at a hospital in Lucknow on June 8. The family registered an FIR against UP minister Ram Murti Verma and five others including policemen at Puwayan police station of Shahjahanpur. The FIR was lodged under IPC 302 (murder), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation). The video footage of dying declaration, which went viral on news channels and social media, showed Singh saying, “Why did they have to burn me? If the minister and his goons had a grudge, they could have beaten me instead of pouring kerosene and burning me.” The journalist had invited Verma’s ire by posting reports on Facebook about illegal mining activities and land grabbing against the minister. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had also been filed in thee Allahabad High Court seeking directions for CBI probe and strict action against erring persons in scribe Jagendra Singh murder case. Meanwhile, family members of Jagendra including his wife Suman, sister and other family members continued their dharna in Shahjahanpur. They said the decision to call off the stir will be taken tomorrow. “I have heard about the CM’s announcements in Lucknow, where my son Rahul and father-in-law have gone for the meeting,” Suman said. “Any decision regarding calling off dharna will be taken after they return from Lucknow,” she added. As the demands of the family is met by the Chief Minister, the ‘dharna’ is likely to end by tomorrow. PTI