J&K: Sikhs demand implementation of Minorities Act

A Sikh organisation in Jammu and Kashmir today said it has decided to launch a peaceful agitation in support of its demands which includes extending the National Minorities Act to the state.

A Sikh organisation in Jammu and Kashmir today said it has decided to launch a peaceful agitation in support of its demands which includes extending the National Minorities Act to the state.

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"We have decided to launch a peaceful agitation in the name of Jammu and Kashmir Sikh Dharam Yudh Morcha in support of our demands," chairman of the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Jagmohan Singh Raina told reporters.

He said the main demand of the Sikh community is to extend the National Minorities Act in its present form and recruitment of Punjabi teachers in schools and colleges.

"We had several meetings with chief minister Omar Abdullah and former law minister Ali Mohammad Sagar in this regard. Despite assurances that these things will be done, nothing has happened so far," Raina claimed.

The Sikh leader said he failed to understand why the state government was not implementing the Act as there was no financial implication for it.

"All the funds under this act come from the Centre. The state government is only the implementing authority," he said.

Raina said if the present state government did not fulfill the demands of the Sikh community, it will not vote for the ruling coalition of National Conference and Congress in the forthcoming assembly elections next year.

"There are eight seats in Kashmir valley and 10 in Jammu division where Sikh votes are the deciding factor. If our demands are not met by this government, we will not vote for National Conference or Congress in the elections next year," he said.