Militants occupy 3 houses, 10 shops of Sikhs in Pakistan

by hussain | April 28, 2009 at 10:22 pm

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In the second incident of its kind, the militants active in Orakzai tribal district of Pakistan have occupied three houses and 10 shops of the Sikh community in the region. However, a local tribe has given shelter to the 24-member displaced Sikh family in accordance with the tribal tradition.
Earlier, four houses of Sikh community were occupied by the militants in the troubled region for the same reasons a couple of weeks ago. However, later they had vacated the houses.

KALAYA: Armed militants on Tuesday occupied three houses and 10 shops of the Sikh community in Orakzai Agency who failed to arrange the unrealistic protection money. Sources said the houses of Sikh cloth merchants were located in the Qasimkhel while the shops were in the Ferozkhel area of Kalaya Tehsil.

The hapless 24-memeber family headed by Kalyan Singh was given shelter as a Pakhtun tradition by the Manikhel tribe who vowed to protect them against the odds after their forcible expulsion.

Earlier, Kalyan Singh was kidnapped by militants 15 days back and after the intervention of the jirga of ulema and elders he was released. However, his release was conditional as he was directed to arrange Rs13 million during the stipulated time. Kalyan Singh paid Rs3.5 million to his kidnappers while he could not arrange for the rest of the ransom as it was beyond his means. In return, the militants occupied the houses and shops of the family. Sikhs had been living in the area for over a hundred of years and even after the Partition, they did not move anywhere but preferred to stay in the area.