Vijendra Ram’s son (left) and widow Kusum Devi at district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh’s janata darbar in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Aug. 25: The widow and son of Vijendra Ram, the tractor driver who was burnt alive after he ran over three schoolchildren in Danapur area on August 16, turned up at district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Singh’s janata darbar today.

They lodged a complaint against local officials for not helping them in getting pension and other benefits, which they are entitled to. Vijendra’s widow, Kusum Devi, and son, Vipun Kumar, requested the DM to help them in obtaining the benefits.

Kusum said: “Sir, my life has become difficult now, my husband was our family’s only source of income and there is nothing left for us after his death. How will my two daughters get married? What about the education of my son? My husband was burnt alive, I could not even recognise his face, where shall I go now? Kindly help me out, my name is there in the below poverty line list and I have the red card. But officials concerned are not helping me.”

She added: “It’s been more than a week but the last rites of my husband has not been yet completed owing to financial constraints. We are living a painful life after his death, I would request you to kindly intervene in the matter.”

Singh immediately called an officer and said: “Release all government benefits she deserves as soon as possible. Give her the old age pension and Rs 1,500 for the last rites of her husband. Find out if there is any other provision where financial aid is given to the family member who has died in mob violence. I think the family gets Rs 1 lakh.”