Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Sikhs & others sccumb to militants Jazia demand

Our correspondent

LANDIKOTAL: The non-Muslim communities — including Sikhs, Hindus and Christians living in Khyber Agency — have agreed to pay tax to the Bara-based Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) in exchange for ensuring their security in the area.

Sources said LI had asked the non-Muslim communities in Bara, Chora, Karamna, Bazaar Zakhakhel and Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency to pay tax or leave the agency.The sources said the warning came from LI two days back following which the community agreed to pay the tax instead of leaving the area, where they are living for decades.

Several jirgas were held to settle the issue and finally a jirga attended by the leaders and elders of the Sikh, Hindu and Christian community at Tirah Valley decided to pay tax to LI.

Under the decision, only women, children and handicapped persons had been exempted from paying the tax, while other members of the communities would be bound to pay Rs1,000 per head annually.

(The News International, June 3)

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