The murder of three young Hindus has further terrorised the already threatened Hindu community, and the government must take legal action to bring the perpetrators to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations. These observations were made by the civil society, political activists, writers, professionals, religious and spiritual leaders, and common citizens during a consultative meeting organised in Sukkur by the Sindh Amn Forum (SAF). The speakers demanded an end to incidents of kidnapping Hindu traders for ransom and Hindu girls for forcing them to convert to Muslims. They also demanded providing safety and security to all religious minorities, including Hindu citizens, and affording them opportunities to play their active role in national life.
The purpose of the meeting was to express solidarity with the families of the three Hindu citizens murdered in Chak town of Shikarpur district. According to a resolution passed during the meeting, the key factors behind the incident were feudal customs and traditions. The participants of the meeting said tribal conflicts in northern Sindh have reinforced tribal traditions and domination. Therefore, they added, the government should take strict administrative and legal action to end tribal conflicts, arrest those feudal lords and the so-called tribal leaders, and prosecute them under the relevant criminal laws.
They said the Chak town incident is not only contradictory to the inherited culture and traditions of tolerance in Sindh, but an increase in such incidents of violence against religious minorities are painting a more negative image of Pakistan internationally. For that reason, they added, all human rights activists, intellectuals and common citizens should raise unanimous voice to promote their inherited culture of harmony and tolerance. The speakers said the Sindh Assembly has resolved to deweaponise the province and has stressed upon the government to ban all kinds of arms in public places, which is a significant step to ensure peace.
However, they added, the government must implement the resolution in letter and spirit to end the atmosphere of insecurity.
They said hundreds of families have left their houses, lands and sources of livelihood due to tribal conflicts and are living like refugees in different areas of the country. The federal and provincial governments as well as international aid agencies should extend their support to these refugees or internally displaced persons for rehabilitation and ensure their safe return to their homes, the speakers added.
Distress call: ‘Minorities cornered after murder of three Hindus’
