Person who fought against militancy not eligible for freedom fighters scheme: HC

SRINAGAR, SEPT 6: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has ruled that a person who has fought against the militancy is not eligible under the category of freedom fighters in the Swantantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme of the Government of India.
“It is only those persons who have participated in the National Freedom Struggle, who are eligible for benefits under the Scheme,” a bench of Sanja Dhar said while dismissing a plea by one Noor Ahmad Shah who had stated that he has rendered exemplary services for the State while fighting against various militants in his individual capacity. Noor had submitted that he has been conferred an appreciation certificate by the Indian Army operating in District Kupwara.

Earlier, the Union of India in its reply submitted that only those persons who have participated in the freedom movement and fulfilled eligibility criteria/conditions laid down in Swantantrata Sainik Samman Yojana are eligible for grant of benefit under the said Yojana. It submitted that the Shah does not qualify to be a freedom fighter within the meaning of Swantantrata Sainik
Samman Yojana as such is not entitled to the relief prayed for.