Government assures protection to Sikhs in Kashmir

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday assured that the Centre and the State government will work together to provide full protection to the Sikh minority in Jammu and Kashmir.

Responding to the concerns of the members in Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram said: "The protection of minorities is a concern of the government and we will strive to see that minorities, wherever they are, remain protected."Let the house be assured that the State and Centre are working together and Sikhs will be protected," he added.

Stating that he was aware of a Sikh being attacked in the Valley, Chidambaram said: "There has been one incident where the rights of a person belonging to Sikh community were violated.

Chidambaram also said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has assured him that maximum effort would be provided to protect Sikhs in the valley.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said that the government is committed to protect the minorities in every nook and corner of the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a newspaper reports, which were quoted by the Opposition in both the houses, the Sikh community has been threatened either to leave or embrace the religion of the majority community. (ANI)