Targeted by militants: Mahinder Singh’s family demands compensation

Mahinder was found dead in Choura village of Jamrud tehsil, Khyber Agency on Tuesday.


Riaz Ahmad January 11, 2013
“Due to the ongoing unrest, we have been forced out of our hometown," says Popander. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR: The Sikhs have demanded financial aid for the family of slain Mahinder Singh, who leaves behind six children and a widow.

Mahinder was a resident of Tabi village in Landikotal tehsil. He was kidnapped two months earlier by unidentified militants from his shop where he used to sell herbal medicines, and was found dead in Choura village of Jamrud tehsil, Khyber Agency on Tuesday.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Mahinder’s cousin Popander Singh said late senior minister Bashir Bilour was the only one to announce monetary compensation for the bereaved and keep in touch with minorities.

Popander said this was the second such incident. Jaspal Singh was one of the three men kidnapped and killed by militants in 2010. Jaspal’s family, however, received Rs1 million as compensation from authorities, he added.

Popander said Tirah valley in Khyber Agency has been home to around 500 Sikh families for centuries.

“Due to the ongoing unrest, we have been forced out of our hometown with many shifting to Peshawar, Hassan Abdal, Lahore and Nankana Sahib in Punjab. Mahinder was one of the last businessmen of our community who was not ready to leave Khyber Agency,” said Popander.

Mahinder’s soyem was observed in Mohallah Jogan Shah inside the provincial capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2013.

 

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