SOURCE: TIMES NOW
The Indian government on Monday condemned the abduction of Sikh community leader by terrorists in Paktia province of Afghanistan and the government said it was in touch with Afghan authorities to ensure the security of the minority community in the country. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in a statement said the “targeting and persecution” of the minority community by terrorists at the behest of their external supporters is a matter of “grave concern”.
“We strongly condemn the abduction of Nedan Singh, a leader of the Hindu and Sikh Community of Afghanistan, by terrorists,” he said in response to a media query on the abduction of the community leader in Paktia. Srivastava further said India is in touch with the Afghanistan government for ensuring the safety, security and well being of the minority community in that country.
“We hope that the government of Afghanistan would be able to secure safe and early release of Nedan Singh,” he said.
Sikh man abducted four days ago
Nidhan Singh, a resident of Tsamkani district in the Paktia province was kidnapped four days ago, the community living in the United States confirmed, ANI reported.
Following his abduction, the Afghan Sikh community in the United States urged the Indian government to help in the resettlement of Sikhs living in Afghanistan.
“I have spoken to Sikh member of Parliament Narinder Singh and he has confirmed that officials in the Afghan government have promised to help and find Nidhan,” Paramjit Singh Bedi, the chairman of the Afghan Sikh community in New Jersey said.
“Narinder Singh has also reached out to Taliban leaders and has been assured that all efforts will be made to ensure his release,” Bedi said.
US Congressmen raised concern over safety of religious minorities in Afghanistan
Earlier in May, 26 US Congressmen had voiced concern over the safety of religious minorities in Afghanistan and written to Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo asking him to take all possible steps to facilitate the “safe and expeditious relocation” of members of the Sikh and Hindu communities trapped in the war-hit country
In the letter, Congressman John Garamendi, co-chair of Sikh Caucus, and 25 others stated that the Sikh community continues to be under “grave” threat from Islamic State terrorist attacks directed at Sikhs.
https://defencenewsofindia.com/matter-of-grave-concern-india-condemns-abduction-of-sikh-leader-in-afghanistan-calls-for-his-early-release/
