KOHAT, April 30 The Sikh community living in lower Orakzai Agency for centuries started leaving their village on Thursday following threats and forced occupation of their shops and houses by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

On Wednesday night, the TTP destroyed 11 houses of the Sikh community, which forced 60 to 65 Sikhs to auction their shops and leave the Feroze Khel area permanently.

The Sikhs from the whole region had gathered in the Merozai area for taking a decision to leave the area or pay Jazia to the TTP as protection money on Wednesday. But half of the 160 Sikhs disputed the decision and postponed the meeting for a final decision till Thursday morning.

It could not be ascertained whether the Sikhs had left the tribal area or shifted to another place in the Orakzai Agency. Earlier this month, they had taken shelter in a Shia-dominant area when the TTP asked them to pay Jazia being non-Muslims for protection of their lives and property.

The local chief of the TTP and deputy of Baitullah Mehsud, Hakeemullah Mehsud, had “enforced Sharia in December last year in the Orakzai Agency” and established headquarters and complaint cells in a number of areas.

It may be mentioned here that a large number of Sikh families are still living in the Kurram Agency, Hangu, Kohat and the Khyber Agency and they have never been threatened by any group.

RESPONSIBILITY The local Taliban on Thursday claimed responsibility for the killing of a prominent tribal elder in the Turkey Ismailkhel area of the Frontier Region of Kohat.

Malik Sher Rehman had been shot dead by motorcyclists while going home on Wednesday evening.