SAD resents exclusion of Valley Sikhs from relief

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 23: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)- Badal, J&K unit has expressed strong resentment against the decision of the Union Government to exclude Sikh families of Kashmir from the ‘new relief scheme’ where under Kashmiri Pandits who continued to stay in Kashmir after 1989 militancy, have been included in the relief package.
In a meeting of the State unit of SAD- Badal held here today under the leadership of Mohinder Singh, president, the members though welcomed the decision of the Union BJP Government to cover non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits under  the PM’s Relief Package for employment to Kashmir Pandits youth in Kashmir, yet opposed the bias move of the Union Govt.  Singh said the decision is a welcome step but restricting it up to non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits, excluding minority Sikh families of Kashmir is shocking, surprising and highly condemnable, thus indicating bias approach of the Central BJP Government.
The SAD leader said that Kashmiri Sikhs despite threat of the militants and losing lives in Chatti Singh Pora carnage and Mehzoor Nagar terrorists attack continued to stay there in Kashmir under the shadow of threats. Despite these all sacrifices the Sikh families staying in Kashmir since  decades are being ignored.
He alleged that such a package is highly biased, discriminatory and does not meet the basic principle of the equality  and justice to all, irrespective of cast and community. This decision has caused a great shock to Sikhs living in Kashmir valley.
The SAD leader urged upon the Government to reconsider the  decision and include minority Sikh families under the PM’s package at par with the non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits. Otherwise, the Sikh community members will be left with the only choice to come out on the roads or leave the Valley for their safety and security for good.