MEERUT, June 5 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has begun allotting residential plots on three bighas of land reclaimed from a graveyard area, to rehabilitate families displaced by the 1978 communal riots in Sambhal. On Thursday, the family of late riot victim Ramsharan Rastogi became the first beneficiary of the initiative, receiving ownership rights to a 100-square-metre plot. Minister of state (independent charge) JPS Rathore, who attended the allotment ceremony, described the move as a long-overdue step towards justice for families affected by the violence nearly five decades ago. "Today, I have come to wipe the tears of those whose homes were burnt down in Sambhal 48 years ago. Generations have passed while waiting for justice. India became independent in 1947, but Sambhal has attained freedom in the true sense today," Rathore said. The minister handed over the allotment certificate to Rukmini, daughter-in-law of Ramsharan Rastogi, and later participated in a 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony with her and her son, Kapil Rastogi, at the allotted site. The land earmarked for rehabilitation is located near Teele Wali Masjid in Sher Khan Sarai village under the Kotwali police station area. Moradabad divisional commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh said the rehabilitation process had formally commenced and urged families who migrated from Sambhal after the riots to approach the district administration with proof of ownership and identity....