http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/287152
Saharanpur resident gets Kabir Puraskar for saving lives of Dalits Calcutta News.Net Tuesday 2nd October, 2007 (ANI) New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Centre today announced to confer the Kabir Puraskar, for the year 2007, on Saharanpur resident Khalifa Gufran for playing pivotal role in stopping many incidents of communal riots in his locality. He will be awarded with a cash prize of Rupees 50,000. Resident of Gali Halwaiyan, in Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Gufran helped in saving the lives of two Dalit youths in 2006 after Muslims and Dalits scuffled over a petty matter that soon took the shape of communal violence. "The timely arrival on the scene by Khalifa Gufran with the district authorities stemmed further escalation of violence and saved both the youths from the clutches of the mob," a release issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs that announces the award said. In March 2007 persons of Hindu and Muslim communities collected at Mohalla Jatavnagar and started pelting stones on each other. Here also Gufran helped the district authorities in restoring peace and normalcy. Kabir Puraskar is a National Award instituted by the Indian Government for recognizing the acts of physical or moral courage displayed by a member of one caste, community or ethnic group in saving the lives and properties of member(s) of another caste, community or ethnic group during caste, community or ethnic violence. The Award is given annually in three grades viz., Grade-I, Grade-II and Grade-III, carrying cash amount of Rs. 2,00,000; Rs.1,00,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively.
