London: UK citizens who were victimised
in the 26/11 Mumbai terror massacre in 2008 will be given
compensation following the announcement of a new scheme by the
British government.
Current policy allows compensation to British victims who
are killed or injured in terrorist incidents that occur in the
UK.
The new scheme will not be retrospective but officials
said British victims of terrorism in overseas since 2002 would
be eligible for compensation.
The announcement of the new Overseas Terrorism
Compensation Scheme in British Parliament yesterday follows a
drive launched by a UK victim, William Pyke, who was caught
between the crossfire in Mumbai, and left paralysed for life.
Pyke, 29, campaigned for the law to be changed after
discovering there was no provision for UK citizens injured in
terror attacks outside the country.
He was holidaying with his girlfriend Kelly Doyle when
the Taj hotel was attacked.
While trying to escape from the window, Pyke fell 50 feet
when knots in a rope made of bedsheets and curtains did not
hold. Doyle was rescued soon after.
They had been convinced they would die as they cowered in
their bathroom and heard the sound of gunshots.
The London-based couple say they have struggled to
survive financially after the seige and their travel insurance
did not cover terror attacks.
"Terrorism is intended as a political statement and an
attack on society as a whole. Therefore it is right that, as a
tangible expression of sympathy, society should compensate the
victims of terrorist attacks abroad in recognition of the
injuries suffered," Justice Secretary Jack Straw said.
The amount of compensation would be calculated according
to a tariff based on the seriousness of injury.
As many as 166 people, including several foreign citizens
were killed in the Mumbai terror assault in 2008.
Incidents where UK victims of terrorism abroad and their
families have campaigned for compensation include attacks in
Mumbai in 2008, Sharm al-Sheikh in 2005, and Bali in 2002.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 19:14