SGPC provides monetary help to family of 8 Punjab natives who went missing in Iraq

Amritsar, Punjab: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday provided monetary assistance of ` 50,000 each to the next of kin of eight people, who are among the 40 Punjabis, who are believed to have been taken captive by ISIS activists in Iraq.

SGPC secretary Manjti Singh handed over eight cheques to Pradesi Ram, Dilawar, Jeet Ram, Malkiat Ram, Ramesh Kumar, Raj Rani, Sumitra and Beena Devi.

While talking to reporters, SGPC additional secretary Daljit Singh Bedi said SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar had in August taken the decision to provide monetary help to 40 Punjabi families stuck in Iraq.

The case of these families was also taken up by the Punjab government with the external affairs ministry, which was trying its best to get them released.

“Many of these families are facing a lot of hardships after their wards went missing in Iraq. Most of the missing persons were the only earning members of their families,” he added.

He said this was the second batch to have been given ` 50,000 each. In the first batch, 19 persons or families had received a similar assistance from the SGPC. “We are committed to prove monetary help to all 40 families as was committed by the SGPC chief,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) also gave ` 10,000 each to the eight persons through cheques, which were handed over to the eight by Sarchand Singh, media adviser to revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

The DSGMC too had announced a grant of ` 10,000 to the next of kin of each of the 40 Punjabi persons stuck in Iraq.

HOLDS PRAYERS FOR J&K FLOOD VICTIMS

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday held a ‘akhand paath’ (prayer) in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

The path was held at Manji Sahib Dewan hall at the Golden Temple complex here on Saturday. Prayers were also held for the well-being of all those who suffered losses in the floods. The prayer meeting was attended by SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh and staff.

Dalmegh Singh assured the flood-hit people of J&K that the SGPC would continue to help them till things were not normalised. He assured them that the SGPC would also draw out a plan for their rehabilitation.

Source: HT