Lance Naik Mohammed Firoz Khan died while fighting for the country in October, but even after a month, his family is forced to fight another battle – red-tapism. Firoz Khan was killed in October during Pakistani firing from across the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir and is survived by wife Nasreen Khan, and three children.
While the martyr’s family was promised immediate compensation and ex gratia by the officials and leaders during his funeral, these promises are yet to be honoured. For family members, the tragedy continues as they are forced to run from pillar to post to get the promised financial assistance.
“It took more than a fortnight for the authorities to issue a death certificate. Later, we had to wait for the ‘legal heir’ certificates issued by the revenue authorities,” Mr. Moinnudin, father of Nasreen Khan, informs.
The only help the family has received till date is a cheque of Rs. 1 lakh “The cheque was sent by the Madras Regiment. There is no word of the land, the ex gratia nor the job or help to set up the business from either the State or Central governments,” he says.
Moin, who works as a businessman, regularly visiting the local Sainik Welfare Board office to know the progress and has also written to the Defence Ministry to speed up the process.
Political parties were quick enough to keep up their promises. YSR Congress and MIM leaders gave Rs. 1 lakh each to the family while the Congress leaders gave Rs. 2 lakh within a week of Firoz Khan’s death.
On Saturday, the family members met Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who assured them to take up the issue with the State and Central governments.
