Relief for Gujarat Riot Victims

May 23, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7416073.stm

The Indian government has announced an $80m relief package for the victims of anti-Muslim riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002.

The package is expected to benefit the families of 1,169 people who were killed in the riots, say officials.

Over 2,500 people, who were wounded, will also be compensated.

More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in the violence sparked by an attack on a train carrying Hindu pilgrims, killing 59 of them.

The state's Hindu nationalist BJP government was heavily criticised for doing little to stop the violence.