Religious persecution: Sikhs lash out against murder, kidnappings

PESHAWAR: Sikh residents of the city protested on Friday against the killing of a Sikh hakim in Charsadda a day before and an earlier abduction of two others in DI Khan. “These incidents are part of the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa (K-P),” said Sardar Charanjeet Singh, leading the protest. He strongly condemned the attack on minorities and demanded the provincial government to take steps for their protection. The rally began from Gurdwara Bhai Singh inside Dabgari Gardens and moved towards Mohallah Jogan Shah as the protesters chanted slogans. The protest continued until the bodies of the deceased were shifted to Attock for cremation. “There is no doubt that every citizen of the province is a victim of the precarious situation in K-P,” said Charanjeet, adding, “but non-Muslims are more insecure and marginalised as compared to others.” He emphasised the Sikh are a peaceful people and have no rivalries with anyone. Charanjeet added the deceased, Pramjeet Singh, had been running his own herbal medication clinic in the district for 17 years. A protester, Hardyal Singh, said another Sikh, Sardar Bhagwan Singh, had been killed in Tangi, Charsadda, in January while coming home from work. The local police had not been successful in arresting the killers so far, he added. “We are Pakistani citizens and are ready to render any sacrifices for this country,” said Hardyal. The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of those behind the attack and asked the provincial government to punish them. A hakim belonging to the Sikh community, Pramjeet and his employee were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Shabqadar, Charsadda on Thursday. Two others, Anand Singh and Sawrender Singh, were abducted from DI Khan a month ago.