West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared a compensation package of ₹10 lakh to each of the families of four state residents who died in recent encounters in Jammu and Kashmir. The three civilians who were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack and an Army commando who died in a later encounter are among the beneficiaries.
The civilians—Samir Guha of Behala, Bitan Adhikari of Patuli, and Manish Ranjan of Jhalda—were among the 26 who were killed in the April 22 terrorist strike at Pahalgam. Adhikari was a 40-year-old Florida-based IT professional who had come with his family on vacation to Kashmir. Ranjan was an officer with Intelligence Bureau. Guha's background wasn't indicated.
The fourth casualty, Havaldar Jhantu Ali Shaikh from the Army's 6 Para Special Forces, was from Nadia district. He was martyred during an encounter with militants in Udhampur district on April 24.
Apart from the financial assistance, Chief Minister Banerjee provided government employment to one member from every grieving family. She also promised a monthly pension of ₹10,000 to the elderly parents of Bitan Adhikari and coverage under the state's Swasthya Sathi health scheme. In addition, she promised assistance for the education of Shaikh's children, providing support for their admission to good schools in Kolkata if so desired.
Chief Minister condoled the families and said, "We stand with the families in this moment of tragedy and will provide all the possible assistance."
