Standing guard: Police survey Sikh-owned businesses to provide security

At least four members of the community have been killed in targeted attacks this year


Riaz Ahmad September 19, 2014

PESHAWAR:


After a wave of killings shook Sikhs in the city, the police finally took a preemptive step and started collecting data on businesses owned by members of the religious minority group in a bid to provide them with security.


Talking to The Express Tribune, a police official said data collection efforts are under way and all local police stations have been asked to submit a report about shops owned by Sikhs within their respective jurisdictions.

“The biggest concentration of these businesses is in Karkhano Market, where there are at least 200 shops owned by Sikhs. Most of them deal in cosmetics, while around 60 sell clothing,” he said. The official added there were also a considerable number of shops in Khushal Market and on Ashraf Road in Hashtnagri.

“Once the data is collected, a security plan will be chalked out,” he said.

A Sikh elder confirmed a survey was being conducted and policemen have already been deployed in certain places. “At Shoaib Plaza on University Road, where our people own many mobile phone shops, a police guard has already been stationed,” he added.

“Our community has businesses across the city with the biggest concentration in Hashtnagri, Karkhano Market and Bara Qadeem area,” said the elder. “Previously the largest number of Sikh traders was based in Bara, Khyber Agency.”

The elder added there was widespread fear after the recent spate of attacks in which four Sikhs lost their lives. He said many Sikh traders reluctantly reopened their shops after observing a period of mourning.

He pointed out the target killings sent a clear and personal message to the community that its members are on a hit list. “That is the reason all kinds of precautionary measures are being taken; to avoid a repeat of such incidents,” said the elder.

“It is sad, but true, that we are targets,” he said, adding the police assured the community there would be no lack of security.

Previously, Sikhs would be terrorised by thieves committing robbery in broad daylight and kidnappers, but now the people after them want nothing short of taking their lives. Since August, two Sikh traders were killed in the province at their places of business.

On September 6, 25-year-old Harjeet Singh was shot dead at his shop in Nothia, Peshawar. At the time, police official Ijaz Khan stated this was a targeted attack. This came after a deadly attack in early August that resulted in the death of teenager Jagmohan Singh and left Manmit and one other Sikh injured. The men were shot by unidentified assailants as they were opening Manmit’s cosmetics shop in Shabab Markat.

Earlier in the year in January, another Sikh was gunned down by two unidentified men in Tangi Bazaar, Charsadda. The victim was Bhagwan Singh and he owned a medicine shop, leaving his family in a state of shock as they had no animosity with anyone. Just two months later in March, another hakeem from the community was shot dead in main Shabqadar Bazaar. The victim was identified as Dr Pramjeet Singh.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2014.

COMMENTS (1)

Prof. Shahid Mobeen | 9 years ago | Reply

My compliments to the Sikh community and their politicians who obtained the security. What about the Christian businessmen and the political representatives?

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