Compensation given to those let off in Mecca Masjid blasts

Hyderabad, Jan 6 (PTI) The Andhra Pradesh government today gave compensation to 61 people who were acquitted or let off in the 2007 Mecca Masjid bomb blast case here but most of them demanded action against police officers for allegedly torturing them. The compensation of Rs 3 lakh each was given to 15 acquitted people, while Rs 20,000 each was given to 46 people who were let off by police after interrogation, officials said. State Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Ahmadulla gave the cheques to the victims at a function organised by his department. Fourteen people were killed in the blasts and subsequent police firing in agitators. Five persons will be considered for payment of compensation after review and disposal of cases pending against them, the officials said. Thanking Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for the compensation, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Akbaruddin Owaisi sought withdrawal of some other cases in which they have been named. He demanded action against police officers who allegedly falsely implicated the youth in the Mecca masjid case. Those who received the compensation sought action against police officers for "torturing" them. "We were falsely implicated. We were tortured. More than this money, we will be satisfied if action is taken against those policemen," Junaid, who was among those given compensation, told reporters.