Zaheerkhan
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Sikhs banished by Taliban want to migrate to India
Shafqat Ali
Islamabad
May 5: Scores of Sikh families, banished from Pakis-tans tribal areas by Taliban militants, want to migrate and settle in India for good, this newspaper learned.
"We cant say anything openly against the Taliban as we fear for our lives. What we will prefer is to migrate to India where we will have more freedom," a Sikh, a doctor by profession, told this newspaper. He added, "We have conveyed this to the Pakistan government but they have promised us that things will change and we will be secure." The Sikhs approached by this newspaper requested anonymity fearing Taliban reprisals.
"Most of our people have been giving pro-Taliban statements on television channels. This does not mean we love them, but we fear them. We may have to go back and then theres the question of survival," said a Sikh woman who has taken refuge in Islamabad after migrating from Orakzai Agency. She said, "I have four children, all of them are with me. My husband has a shop (in Orakzai Agency). We cant say anything against them (the Taliban) on record but the truth is that they are brutal."
A Sikh shopkeeper named Gurmeet said, "I think the militants are not against any specific religion. They are fighting against humanity. No peaceful citizen can be their (militants) friend." Gurmeet added, "Though I would prefer to go back home, I still think India is much better as far as human rights are concerned." He added, "Several of my family members live in Amritsar and one day I might move there with my wife and children."
Earlier this month, the Sikhs in Pakistans lawless tribal areas were forced to leave by Taliban militants who demanded that they pay jizya (Islamic tax). A local jirga (tribal assembly) last week ordered the Sikhs to pay the Taliban militants Rs 15 million as annual protection money after the militants captured the shops and homes of 35 Sikh families and "arrested" community heads Klank Singh and Sewa Singh in Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency.
Link:The Asian Age - Enjoy the difference
Shafqat Ali
Islamabad
May 5: Scores of Sikh families, banished from Pakis-tans tribal areas by Taliban militants, want to migrate and settle in India for good, this newspaper learned.
"We cant say anything openly against the Taliban as we fear for our lives. What we will prefer is to migrate to India where we will have more freedom," a Sikh, a doctor by profession, told this newspaper. He added, "We have conveyed this to the Pakistan government but they have promised us that things will change and we will be secure." The Sikhs approached by this newspaper requested anonymity fearing Taliban reprisals.
"Most of our people have been giving pro-Taliban statements on television channels. This does not mean we love them, but we fear them. We may have to go back and then theres the question of survival," said a Sikh woman who has taken refuge in Islamabad after migrating from Orakzai Agency. She said, "I have four children, all of them are with me. My husband has a shop (in Orakzai Agency). We cant say anything against them (the Taliban) on record but the truth is that they are brutal."
A Sikh shopkeeper named Gurmeet said, "I think the militants are not against any specific religion. They are fighting against humanity. No peaceful citizen can be their (militants) friend." Gurmeet added, "Though I would prefer to go back home, I still think India is much better as far as human rights are concerned." He added, "Several of my family members live in Amritsar and one day I might move there with my wife and children."
Earlier this month, the Sikhs in Pakistans lawless tribal areas were forced to leave by Taliban militants who demanded that they pay jizya (Islamic tax). A local jirga (tribal assembly) last week ordered the Sikhs to pay the Taliban militants Rs 15 million as annual protection money after the militants captured the shops and homes of 35 Sikh families and "arrested" community heads Klank Singh and Sewa Singh in Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency.
Link:The Asian Age - Enjoy the difference
