New Delhi: On the killing of two Sikh traders in Peshawar today, India said it has registered its strong protest with Pakistan on the continued targeting of members of the minority community there and called upon the Pakistani authorities to sincerely investigate the matter and take strict action against those responsible. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a statement said that India expects the Government of Pakistan, in discharge of its responsibilities, to look after the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities. The response came as two members of the Sikh community — 42-year-old Suljeet Singh and 38-year-old Ranjeet Singh who owned spice shops in Batatal area of Peshawar, were shot dead on the outskirts of the city. Both were sitting at their shop when gunmen came and pumped bullets in their body. The MEA spokesperson said in a statement; “We have seen the reports on brutal killing of two Sikh traders by unidentified armed men in Peshawar. Sadly, this is not the first such case or a rare occurrence. “Grave concerns have been expressed by various quarters of the Indian civil society and the Sikh community at this shocking and deplorable incident. We have registered our strong protest with the Government of Pakistan on continued targeting of members of the minority community in Pakistan. We call upon the authorities concerned to sincerely investigate the matter and take strict action against those responsible for this deplorable incident. “We expect that the Government of Pakistan, in discharge of its responsibilities, will look after the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities.” Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in a tweet said that incidents like these “clearly amplify the dangers that religious minorities face in our volatile neighbourhood and the necessity for humane measures like CAA” – referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act. “Deeply saddened to hear about the dastardly killing of two members of the Sikh Sangat in Pakistan’s Peshawar. “Acts like these clearly amplify the dangers that religious minorities face in our volatile neighbourhood & the necessity for humane measures like CAA,” he tweeted. Activist Puneet Singh Chandhok, president of Indian World Forum, in a tweet voiced anguish at the killing. “Anguished. Heinous killing of two #Sikhs in #Peshawar. Atrocities on #Hindus & #Sikhs continues even under the leadership of @CMShehbaz. Such incidents portray the extremist ideology of @OfficialDGISPR & its funded organisations. @UN kindly ensure safety of our brethren in #Pakistan.” UNI RN
