The families of six STF commandoes, who were killed by dacoit Thokia in Banda, are still waiting for financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each announced by Chief Minister Mayawati in 2007.

Official sources claimed the proposal has been rejected on “technical” grounds, but refused to elaborate. “Nothing is pending towards the families of these cops. All accounts have been settled,” said Home Secretary Mahesh Gupta.

Laxman Prasad Sharma, Uma Shanker Yadav, Girish Chandra, Brajesh Yadav, Rajesh Chauhan and Ishwar Dev Singh were gunned down by Thokia and his men in a retaliatory ambush on July 22, 2007 — immediately after the STF gunned down dacoit Dadua in Chitrakoot. Later, Thokia was killed in a police encounter in August, 2008.

“I have met several senior police officers but nobody could explain why we have not received the money,” said Nav Ratan Sharma, elder brother of Constable Laxman Prasad Sharma. He is now thinking of moving court.

Sharma’s wife Hemlata and her two children are currently staying in government quarters in Ghaziabad. “I have come to know that they will have to leave the quarters once Laxman’s son reaches the age of 16,” said Nav Ratan — a technician in the Railways.

Girish Chandra’s younger brother Pramod Nagar said, “In the last five months, I have met the DGP twice. Every time I have been assured, but nothing has happened so far.” Chandra’s wife Anita Devi lives in Ghaziabad with her two children.

“I have almost lost hope of receiving the compensation. The families of all the six commandoes are in touch with each other and take turns to meet senior politicians and police officers. They say it seems the chief minister has forgotten about her announcement,” said Ashok Singh, Constable Ishwar Dev Singh’s son. A graduate, he has applied for the post of sub-inspector.

... contd.