New Delhi, Sep 23 - Lakhbir Kaur was just 16 years old when her father and other male members of the family were killed during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Now a mother of three, she laments why there was no mechanism for help or to seek justice and rehabilitation.

'She was in a Muslim neighbour's house with her mother when she received news that her father, a retired army man, had been killed. Soon after, news came that all her aunts (mother's sisters) had been widowed,' said writer Nirupama Dutt, narrating Kaur's story with her by her side.

The two spoke at a session of a two-day seminar 'Women in conflict zones: survivors and peacemakers', jointly organised by Women's Feature Service and the International Committee of the Red Cross, that ended Wednesday.

Looking back, Kaur says she doesn't want to avenge the killings but wishes she had been offered more help.

'I feel upset and even angry sometimes but not vindictive. Neighbours, even from Hindu houses, were helpful. But we still had to flee to Mohali (in Punjab) and seek refuge in a gurdwara.'

Kaur and Dutt, along with journalists who have covered conflict and violence, as well as human rights activists and rehabilitation workers attended the seminar to dwell on what needed to be done to ease the plight of victims.