Eight Years & No Compensation: 26/11 Survivors Demand Justice

Many survivors of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai are yet to receive any compensation.

Survivors of the 26/11 terror attack recount their horror. (Photo Courtesy: ANI Screengrab)

It has been eight years since Sabira Sheikh got hit by a bullet during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, an incident for which she received much consolation, but no official help.

Sheikh had to undergo six surgeries, after she sustained injuries on her leg during the attack in 2008. Despite a flurry of promises, Sheikh has not received any financial aid from the government. Her son, who earns around Rs 10,000 a month has written several letters to top officials, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But all his letters have gone unanswered.

But Sabira is not the only one. Devika Rotawan, who was hit by a bullet on the fateful evening of 25 Novermber 2008, is yet to be compensated. She was travelling to Pune with her father and younger brother, when she came in the line of Ajmal Kasab’s fire. She now dreams of becoming an IAS officer to fight those who engage in the act of terrorism.

In such an exceptional case, one would expect justice to follow. But these two survivors beg to differ. While Devika wants the government to put all those who staged the attack behind bars, all that Sabira now demands is an answer from the authorities.

Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam