SGPC wants special aid for J&K Sikhs

Amritsar, Punjab: SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar met J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Governor NN Vohra during his visit to the flood-hit state. He sought a special package for the rehabilitation of Sikhs in the state.

Makkar returned to Punjab today after a two-day visit to J&K. The Governor gave the SGPC delegation a patient hearing and assured them of all help to the flood-affected members of the community. The J&K Chief Minister and the Governor praised the SGPC for the relief work.

Makkar handed over a memorandum to the CM regarding the problems being faced by Sikhs in the hill state, besides their rehabilitation issues.

In the memorandum, the SGPC said, “Being in minority, the Sikhs are not being looked after properly in J&K. Nothing has been done by the government to rescue and rehabilitate them. The SGPC is trying to provide them maximum help on its own. However, the magnitude of the tragedy necessitates the government to step in as the SGPC has limited resources. We request you to ensure that the Sikhs are not left to fend for themselves and are treated at par with other people of the state.”

The SGPC claimed 4,000 Sikh families had been affected by the floods and around 25 to 30 Sikhs had lost their lives.

Source: The Tribune