Sikhs in Kabul are afraid: Manjinder Singh Sirsa

New Delhi, Aug 19 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday that Sikhs in Afghanistan are afraid, though the Taliban have assured them safety and security.
“Around three days back and also yesterday, the Talibani commanders had visited the Gurdwara premises (in Kabul). They had a long discussion with our people. Though they have assured them safety and security, our people are very fearful and afraid (to stay in Afghanistan),” he said.
Sirsa said they do not have any choice, but to migrate to India or any other country because they feel that no minority community is safe in Taliban-ruled countries.
“They (stranded Sikhs) do not have a choice. They definitely want to migrate back to India or to any other country. They don’t feel that minorities are safe there (Afghanistan) as the rule has fallen into the hands of Taliban,” he said.
Sirsa said there are almost 320 people, and out of which there are 50 Hindus and the rest 270 are Sikhs. A chartered flight was arranged to airlift them from Afghanistan, but could not as the situation worsened, he said.
“After president Ashraf Ghanni left the country, airports were shut. Around 40 people live in different parts of Kabul and we are trying to pick them up and transfer them to the Gurdwara. From there, we would make arrangements for them to fly out of Afghanistan,” he added.