Sukhbir meets Omar over security of Sikhs
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday assured Shiromani Akali Dal president and Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal that his state government would take all requisite measures towards instilling a sense of security among the members of minority Sikh community in the state.
He also pledged to address on priority basis various issues confronting the Sikhs in the state including issuance of permanent resident or “state subject” certificates to those members of the community who have moved out of villages and settled in urban areas over the years especially after the outbreak of separatist violence.
The assurances came during a meeting Mr Badal had with the chief minister here. Mr Badal was in Srinagar on an on-the-spot assessment of the situation following some Sikh families in the Valley reportedly receiving anonymous threat asking them embrace Islam, join ongoing Azadi protests or leave Kashmir. While the government had shrugged the development off saying it could be handiwork of unscrupulous elements, the separatists had blamed it on the Indian intelligence agencies and other “vested interests” wanting to distract the attention from what they see as spiralling in the pro-freedom struggle.
Mr Badal, who called on Mr Abdullah here, was accompanied by Punjab agriculture minister S. Sucha Singh Langa and other prominent Sikh activists. They, according to an official spokesperson, discussed various matters relating to the recent floods in Leh and other parts of the State. Mr Badal announced `1 crore assistance from Punjab government to Jammu and Kashmir for the rehabilitation of flood hit families. The Punjab deputy chief minister also said that the Punjab government would provide cattle feed and dry fodder for the animal population in the flood affected areas. But also exercising his discretion as president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Badal announced cash compensations of `5 lakhs each for two Sikh families whose shops were washed away on the night of August 5. He contributed a similar sum towards the reconstruction of Pathar Sahib — a gurdwara that was also severely damaged.
“Lauding Jammu and Kashmir’s rich heritage of communal harmony and brotherhood, Mr Badal said that Sikhs and Muslims are living in amity in the Valley and other parts of the state since ages,” the spokesperson said. He also quoted Mr. Badal as saying “We’ve felt that there is complete amity between the two sections of the society and hope the same will get further cemented.” He also discussed matters pertaining to the welfare of Sikh community.
A statement issued by SAD said that Mr Abdullah also promised to look into the legal mechanism to ensure adequate representation to the Sikh youths in the coming recruitment drive for 50,000 new government jobs. He also assured to appoint Punjabi teachers in the areas having Sikh population keeping in view the demand of Sikh community.
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