30 Hindus In Pakistan Held Hostage By Criminal Gangs: Report

International

oi-Prakash KL

A rights group in Pakistan has raised alarm over criminal gangs holding hostage 30 members of the minority Hindu community, including women and children.

“HRCP is alarmed by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, where some 30 members of the Hindu community – including women and children – have allegedly been held hostage by organised criminal gangs,” tweeted Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

The incident has been reported from the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh.

The HRCP has received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack the community’s sites of worship. “Moreover, we have received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack the community’s sites of worship, using high-grade weapons. The Sindh Home Department must investigate this matter immediately and take steps to protect all vulnerable citizens in these areas,” tweeted HECP.

It has to be noted that a report based on data collected from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) claims that minorities constituted less than five per cent of the total population of Pakistan. The Hindus are the largest minority community.

Attacks on the Hindu minority is not an uncommon practice in Pakistan’s Sindh.

Bitter Winter, a magazine on religious liberty and human rights, reported that over the past few months, numerous incidents have come to light, targeting the Hindu minority residing in the village of Shaikh Bhirkio in Sindh and the Tando Allahyar district. Likewise, there has been a notable rise in attacks on Hindu temples in Pakistan in recent decades.

Notably, a gang of dacoits attacked a place of worship – reportedly with “rocket launchers” -belonging to members of the Hindu community in Sindh’s Kashmore during the early hours of Sunday.

Days ago, a 150-year-old Hindu temple was demolished in Karachi.