New Delhi: As then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on 31 October 1984, riots broke out in different parts of Delhi.
But after 36 years also, city's Trilokpuri area victims' family continue to lead a life of penury and are still waiting for a new ray of hope.
According to government sources, as many as 3000 Sikhs were killed and of them, 400 Sikhs were belonging to Trilokpuri area.
Meanwhile, ETV Bharat interacted with Prem Kaur, who lost her husband Balwant Singh and 13 more relatives in the violent riots, and lamented the horrific violence.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Kaur said, "The situation in the area worsened after the assassination of Indira Gandhi on 31 October. On the same day, a crowd gathered near our house. After some time, my husband was called out and he was attacked by the mob. After some time, he escaped from the place but the rioters chased him."
"The attackers captured him and hacked him with an axe. I saw my husband in a pool of blood. I called people for help but during that time he succumbed to his injuries. Later, the rioters killed my brother-in-law and other relatives. My neighbours took me to their home and hid me for several days there," she said.
Though 36 years have passed since the city witnessed the pogrom, many victims like Prem Kaur are still struggling for compensation, employment opportunities and power subsidy.
"After losing my husband only a week after the wedding, I am working as a cosmetic material vendor. On behalf of the government, we were helped by Rs 5,00,000 which I invested in building my house. Even after almost 4 decades, there is no improvement in the condition of my family today," Kaur added.
With grossly insufficient government aid, Kaur's children have struggled to get educated and then find jobs. She has two sons who are engaged in small businesses and they are still waiting for the government’s response.
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