Chhattisgarh orders probe on Sindhi community row

Raipur, Aug 27 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh today ordered an inquiry into the controversy arising out of a tehsildar's notice to members of Sindhi Community, asking them to produce proof to establish that they were ''Indian citizens''.

''I have asked chief secretary R P Bagai to conduct an inquiry'', he told UNI on way to Raigarh.

Mr Singh's decision to order an inquiry came after a delegation of Chhattisgarh Sindhi Panchayat, comprising Raipur Development Authority vice-chairman Srichand Sunderani and State Congress spokesman Ramesh Varlyani, called on him and demanded immediate suspension of Kanker tehsildar for terming Sindhis as 'foreigners'.

According to Mr Varlayani, Kanker tehsildar B R Jueri had sent a letter to district community president, seeking details about their citizenship status. He said the tehsildar also sought to know whether they were 'foreigners' and whether they were granted citizenship.

Describing the notice as unfortunate, he said the incident had hurt the sentiments of the entire community.

UNI AS/JJ DKA RK1830