PESHAWAR: The Hindu community has strongly reacted to the removal of security grills from the streets near a temple at Jhanda Bazaar, Peshawar, and warned that the provincial government would be responsible if any untoward incident occurred in the area.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, the All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement chairman Haroon Sarb Diyal said that the temple at Jhanda Bazaar was very vulnerable where a policeman, Ghulam Mohammad, had been killed by unidentified motorcyclists a few days ago.

“Now the provincial health minister Shaukat Yousufzai has ordered removal of security grills, which will further put people’s security at stake,” he feared and said that the health minister had nothing to do with the issue. He said the minister for religious affairs should come forward and take steps for protection of the Hindu community.

Mr Diyal said that the gates and security grills had been erected by the people following the precarious law and order, adding that the police were bound to protect the Pakistani Hindus and remove unrest among them.

“We submitted an application to the deputy commissioner, Peshawar for a meeting with him, but he avoided meeting us,” said Mr Diyal and demanded of the Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to spare some time so they could apprise him of their grievances.

The Hindu leader said that if the provincial government didn’t address their concerns, then the community would raise voice at national and international level for protection. “We are Pakistanis and the government is duty bound to protect our lives and properties as per the constitution of the country,” he added. —Bureau Report