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Militants had occupied homes, forcing Sikhs to flee; say no one will now harm the community as they have paid ‘jizia’
Islamabad: Members of Pakistan’s minority Sikh community living in the restive Aurakzai tribal region have paid Rs 20 million as “tax” to the Taliban after militants forcibly occupied some of their homes and kidnapped a Sikh leader.
The Taliban had demanded Rs 50 million as ‘jizia’ – a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule – but the militants finally settled for Rs 20 million.
(this teaching r there & they learn in their man made islamic book
)
After the amount was paid Wednesday, the militants vacated the homes they had taken over and released Sikh leader Saiwang Singh, officials in the tribal region near Peshawar were quoted as saying by the Daily Times newspaper.
The officials said the Taliban had announced that the Sikhs were now free to live anywhere in Aurzakzai Agency. The militants also announced they would protect the community, saying that no one would harm them after they had paid jizia.
Sikhs who had left the area would now return to their homes and resume their business, the officials said.
The militants had occupied at least 10 homes of Sikhs in Qasimkhel village on Tuesday. About 35 Sikh families
have been living in Qasimkhel for many years.
The Taliban demand for jizia was resolved at a jirga, or council, held Wednesday through the efforts of local tribal elders. The militants had said the Sikhs should pay jizia in accordance with Shariah or Islamic law.
----------------------------------------------------
Armed men occupy Sikh homes in Pakistan’s Aurakzai region
Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 03:24:38 AM
Islamabad: Armed militants have occupied four homes of members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan’s restive Aurakzai tribal region near the northwestern city of Peshawar, a media report said Wednesday.
About 200 armed militants arrived at Qasimkhel village in Aurakzai Agency on Tuesday and demanded Rs 40 million from the Sikhs, said Galyan Singh, an elder of the minority community.
“We failed to pay the amount and they forced the 38-member Sikh community to vacate houses,” Singh told The News daily.
The families that were evicted from their homes have taken refuge in Manikhel area, Singh said. Local residents of Qasimkhel condemned the incident and said injustice had been done to Sikhs.
There is a sizeable number of Sikhs living in Peshawar and adjoining semi-autonomous tribal regions.
Islamabad: Members of Pakistan’s minority Sikh community living in the restive Aurakzai tribal region have paid Rs 20 million as “tax” to the Taliban after militants forcibly occupied some of their homes and kidnapped a Sikh leader.
The Taliban had demanded Rs 50 million as ‘jizia’ – a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule – but the militants finally settled for Rs 20 million.
(this teaching r there & they learn in their man made islamic book
) After the amount was paid Wednesday, the militants vacated the homes they had taken over and released Sikh leader Saiwang Singh, officials in the tribal region near Peshawar were quoted as saying by the Daily Times newspaper.
The officials said the Taliban had announced that the Sikhs were now free to live anywhere in Aurzakzai Agency. The militants also announced they would protect the community, saying that no one would harm them after they had paid jizia.
Sikhs who had left the area would now return to their homes and resume their business, the officials said.
The militants had occupied at least 10 homes of Sikhs in Qasimkhel village on Tuesday. About 35 Sikh families
have been living in Qasimkhel for many years.
The Taliban demand for jizia was resolved at a jirga, or council, held Wednesday through the efforts of local tribal elders. The militants had said the Sikhs should pay jizia in accordance with Shariah or Islamic law.
----------------------------------------------------
Armed men occupy Sikh homes in Pakistan’s Aurakzai region
Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 03:24:38 AM
Islamabad: Armed militants have occupied four homes of members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan’s restive Aurakzai tribal region near the northwestern city of Peshawar, a media report said Wednesday.
About 200 armed militants arrived at Qasimkhel village in Aurakzai Agency on Tuesday and demanded Rs 40 million from the Sikhs, said Galyan Singh, an elder of the minority community.
“We failed to pay the amount and they forced the 38-member Sikh community to vacate houses,” Singh told The News daily.
The families that were evicted from their homes have taken refuge in Manikhel area, Singh said. Local residents of Qasimkhel condemned the incident and said injustice had been done to Sikhs.
There is a sizeable number of Sikhs living in Peshawar and adjoining semi-autonomous tribal regions.
