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Sikh youth murdered in Pakistan amid reports of violence against minorities

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 05 Jan 2020, 10:20 am Print

Sikh youth murdered in Pakistan amid reports of violence against minorities

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Peshawar/JEN: Days after a mob attacked the iconic Sikh shrine Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province, a youth from the same minority community was killed in the country's Peshawar city, media reports said on Sunday.

The deceased person was identified as Ravinder Singh while Pakistan's Dawn identified him as Parvender Singh. He was working in Malaysia but was visiting Pakistan for his wedding.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Peshawar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sajjid Khan said that Parvender Singh, a resident of Chakesar Shangla, was shot dead within Chamkani police stations limits on Saturday night.

According to the FIR, Parvender had travelled to Peshawar to complete last-minute errands for his wedding, including buying gold, reported Dawn.

"However, close to midnight on Saturday, the victim's brother, received a call from his [Parvender's] phone where an unidentified man told him that he had killed Parvender and where they could find his body," the police official told the Pakistan daily.

The report said his body was later recovered from a stormwater drain on Sunday. 

According to some media reports, he was the younger brother of a local journalist, Harmeet Singh.

Journalist Shiraz Hassan tweeted: "Ravinder Singh, Brother of Public News reporter/anchor Harmeet Singh murdered in #Peshawar - govt must wake up now! #Pakistan."

Nankana Sahib episode:

The latest incident occurred just days after mob violence was reported on Friday outside the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan, the birthplace of first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev, where stones were pelted. 

India condemns:

India on Sunday condemned the 'targeted killing' of a Sikh man in Pakistan's Peshawar city.

"India strongly condemns the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar that follows the recent despicable vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

In its strong message to Pakistan, the MEA statement further said: "India calls upon the Government of Pakistan to stop prevaricating and take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. The Government of Pakistan should act in defense of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about it to other countries."

Several Indian Sikh leaders express shock:

Condemning the killing, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal tweeted, "A day after mob attacked our holy shrine #GurdwaraNankanaSahib, this brutal murder of Sikh youth in Peshawar shows the extent of persecution minorities face in Pak. I urge PM @narendramodi ji to imm take up the issue with @ImranKhanPTI & ensure the safety of Sikh brethren there." 

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh asked Pakistan PM Imran Khan to investigate the incident.

"Shocked & anguished over killing of Sikh youth Ravinder Singh in #Pakistan, coming on heels of #NankanaSahibAttack. @ImranKhanPTI govt must ensure thorough investigation & strict punishment for the culprits. This is the time to act on what you preach," Singh tweeted.