Taliban’s jizya forces Sikhs quit tribal area
Islamabad
May 1: The Sikh community that continued to live in Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas 60 years after Partition has been forced to quit the area.
“This is a Partition-like situation. The Sikhs are moving out in groups,” a security official in Pakist-an’s Orakzai Agency said. “They are migrating after being asked by the Taliban to pay jizya (Islamic tax to be paid by the minorities). They have paid them the jizya but the militants want more money and have auctioned their (Sikhs’) property (for the extra money),” the official told this newspaper.
He added, “This tax is of course not being imposed by the government. When the government has established its writ in the area, the Sikhs can come back and retake their property.”
A local jirga (tribal asse-mbly) this week ordered the Sikhs to pay Rs 1.5 crore in annual protection money. According to sources, militants captured the shops and homes of 35 Sikh families and arrested leaders, Klank Singh and Sewa Singh.
On Wednesday, armed militants reoccupied a village of the Sikh community in Orakzai Agency after the Sikhs failed to pay the jizya.
Latest Comments
PAKISTAN BASED TALIBANS FORCING THE SIKHS TO QUIT TRIBAL AREA MAY BE THE STARTING POINT AND IT MAY RESULT IN AN ATTEMP TO PUSH OUT NOT ONLY SIKHS BUT OTHERS TOO LIKE SINDHIS AND OTHERS. IF IT HAPPENS TO BE SO, THEN, IT WILL HAVE GREAT REPERCUSION IN INDIA TOO.
This is not done by people from the peaceful religion. In fact Sikhs, invited them to their shops to 'manage' the affairs. After this success story, Sikhs gave back their houses, property and women. For their selfless activities, Sikh men and families will receive the shops, houses and farms in Heaven. Amen!
I really dont understand what these people wnat. Neither they live in peace nor do they let other people live in peace.
All they do is give my religion a bad name.
Shame on you taliban, u kill innocent people and make money of there siutation.
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