Her husband was killed by the Maoists. Now, compensation by the state government has put her life in danger. Fearing for life, the widow had to flee from her husband’s home and take shelter at her maternal house.
The Maoists, who had killed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan Babulal Patel in an encounter at Latehar in Jharkhand on January 10, had planted a 1.5 kg unexploded bomb inside his stomach. It was inserted surgically and was meant to explode during autopsy.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday had handed over a cheque of Rs 20 lakh, besides an allotment letter for leasing a piece of land to the jawan’s family at his village in Allahabad district.
Jawan’s family had embarked upon an indefinite hunger strike demanding enhanced compensation and in protest against government’s apathy. The family demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh from the Centre and Rs 25 lakh from the state government besides a job to one of its members.
Soon after the cheque was handed over to his wife Rekha, her in-laws snatched it and allegedly threatened to kill her if she reported the matter. Rekha fled to her parents’ home fearing for her life.
In the meantime, her in-laws got a case registered against Rekha, accusing her of fleeing with gold and jewellery worth Rs 5 lakh.
The widow also lodged a police complaint charging her husband’s family with plotting to kill her for the cheque.
Police intervened and got the cheque returned to the widow on Sunday.
“It is up to Rekha to decide if she wants to live with her in-laws or her parents,” the police officers said.
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