Author: Statesman News Service
Publication: The Statesman
Date: October 28, 2001
CHANDIGARH, Oct. 27. - After foreigners,
now Afghan Sikhs and Hindus have lined up to enter India, thanks to the
US strikes on Afghanistan.
After spending a month in privation
in Pakistan, 21 Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan crossed over into India
through the Wagah border on the Samjhauta Express.
In Afghanistan, they had faced the
wrath of the Taliban. In Pakistan, they were victims of extortion.
Those who crossed into India said
that at least 35 families were stranded in Pakistan, while several hadn't
been able to move out of Kabul and Jalalabad. Mehar Singh (a scripture
reader from Kabul), Tarlok Singh and Manohar Singh (shopkeepers), Gobind
Ram (a tea-stall owner) and others spoke in one voice about the exploitation
of non-Muslim Afghans in Pakistan. Even those staying in Pakistani gurdwaras
are not spared.
They praised the Minorities Commission
member, Mr Tarlochan Singh, for waiving off their visa fee. They hope they
would be given some subsistance in India.
