Congress Deputy leader in the lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday expressed grave concern over increasing attacks on the members of the Sikh community living in the restive province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.
He said that “urgent measures” were needed to be taken to restore the confidence of the Sikhs living as a microscopic minority there.
Punjab’s former Chief Minister appealed to the Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to convey India’s concern to Pakistan Government as the Sikhs in that province were increasingly feeling unsafe and insecure after repeated attacks that led to killings and injuries to many.
“Yet another Sikh businessman was shot dead in Peshawar on Saturday. This is the third attack in one month which has resulted in fear and panic among the Sikh community. Two people have died while many others have been injured in these attacks in a span of less than a month,” he said.
He added, “What is concerning us the most is the impunity with which the people are being killed and the perpetrators going scot-free.”
“Till now, not a single culprit has been identified leave aside being arrested or prosecuted for these attacks,” he added.
Amritsar MP hoped that both the federal and provincial Governments in Pakistan will ensure the security of the minorities there, particularly the Sikhs, who have come under increased attack. At the same time he observed that the government of India must flag the issue for the attention of authorities there.
“This is a cause of concern in India as the Sikhs are being selectively targeted in the recent attacks taking place at an alarming regularity”, Capt Amarinder observed, while urging the Central Government to convey a firm message to Pakistan that there was growing concern here in India over what was happening in Peshawar for the last one month.