Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 12: Sikhs today protested here demanding revocation of SRO- 425 and alleged that the order was introduced to favor a particular community.
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Under the banner of Kashmir Sikh Community, Sikhs in large number assembled at the Partap Park and raised slogans in favor of their demands. The protestors were carrying placards which read: “Stop discrimination with Kashmiri Sikhs”, “SRO-425 totally injustice with Kashmiri Sikhs”, “We won’t tolerate discrimination”and “Stop favoritism”.
The protestors demanded immediate revocation of the SRO-425 and termed it discriminatory in nature. They said except a particular community the Government was ignoring the other minorities of the Valley who have “equally suffered” in the last three decades.
“The SRO has been extended to the valley to benefit the Pandit community. For migrants, the actual SRO was 412 in which all the migrants were entitled to job. However, the order was meant for the migrants living outside the State who would receive benefits under Prime Minister’s Special Package Programme,” a protestor said.
He further said last year, the Government added SRO 425 to the existing order( SRO 412) in order to extend benefits to non-migrants minorities but Sikhs were left out. “By virtue of SRO 425 an amendment has been done wherein the word Kashmiri migrants has been replaced with Kashmiris pundits,” he said. He asked: “Why is Government only including Pandits in the SRO and leaving the other minorities. Why are we left out? Aren’t we citizens of this State?”
Meanwhile, the protestors threatened to intensify protests if their demands are not fulfilled.
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