JALALABAD (SW) – Following the deadly suicide bombing in July, many Sikh families of Nangarhar province left for India, the community members informed.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, members of this religious minority said the families left Afghanistan out of fear and indifference on the part of the government.
This comes following a deadly suicide attack on the Sikh community here in July this year killing 15 of their key figures, including Avtar Singh Khalisa, candidate for the Wolesi Jirga (lower house). It was informed families of the eight Sikh leaders wounded in this attack have also left for India, and the rest are also planning to leave the country.
Jasbeer Singh Hakeemzada, head of the directorate for temples, said the fragile security situation has disheartened them, and those with financial means would not stay here for longer. He said the desperation is unprecedented in the past 40 years of conflict in the country.
Members of this community engaged with trade lament the July bombing has also hampered their businesses. They sighed life is becoming increasingly bitter for them in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, has stressed ensuring security of the Sikh and Hindu community remains top priority of the government. He said a special police unit in the province is directed to guard the residential areas and businesses of the Sikh and Hindu community.
The Sikhs and Hindus used to live in large numbers in different parts of the country, but years of ragging conflict and alleged persecution over the years many of them left the country. Currently, only around 60 families of the community live in Nangarhar province.
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