Looking into demand for martyr status to Chamel: J&K dy CM

The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that steps have been initiated to address the demands of the family of Indian national Chamel Singh, who died in a Pakistan prison, seeking status of a martyr for the deceased.

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that steps have been initiated to address the demands of the family of Indian national Chamel Singh, who died in a Pakistan prison, seeking compensation and the status of a martyr for the deceased.

"I have personally initiated the process to address the demand and the matter has been taken up with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as well as with the Union Home Minister," Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said yesterday at his residence during a meeting with Singh`s family members. Singh, hailing from Pargwal, a border village in Akhnoor, died earlier this year in Lahore`s Kot Lakhpat jail. His widow, Kamlesh Devi, and son Dara Singh are pressing for an adequate compensation package for themselves along with martyr status for the late Singh, on the lines of what was accorded to Sarabjit Singh, who recently died after being attacked by fellow inmates at the same jail in Lahore. PTI