Agitated Sikhs burn effigy of Taliban in Amritsar

Amritsar, May 1 (ANI): Activists of various Sikh organizations burnt an effigy of the Taliban here on Friday to express their anguish and protest against the barbarism being meted out to Sikhs in Pakistan's North West Front Povince (NWFP).

Holding placards, the protestors shouted slogans against Taliban and the Pakistan Government.

They demanded that Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government should intervene in the matter and ensure the security and safety of the monitories living in Pakistan.

While condemning the Taliban, Jaswinder Singh Advocate, a member Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), said that the SGPC has always taken care of the interests of the Sikh community.

We have already conveyed our concern to the authorities in India, he added.

Harnam Singh Dhooma, the head of the Damdami Taksal warned the Taliban that the Sikh community is a peace loving community and always respects all communities and religions, but if anyone hurt their sentiments, they could expect a befitting reply.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) has appealed to Manmohan Singh to ask the Government of Pakistan to protect its Sikh minorities against the fiendishness of Talibans.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makar, in a letter to Dr. Manmohan Singh, requested that the Government of India to ask the Government of Pakistan to protect the Sikhs from the Taliban.

Dr. Pritpal Singh, the convener of the American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC), said over phone that they have conveyed their concern to the US State Department and urged them to get an assurance from the Pakistan for the safety of the Sikhs. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)