"Taliban demolishes 11 homes of Sikh community"
("PTI", April 30, 2009)
Islamabad, Pakistan - Taliban militants have demolished 11 homes of members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan's troubled Aurakzai tribal region after they failed to pay 'jiziya' or a tax levied on non-Muslims.
The houses were destroyed on the orders of Taliban commander Hakeemullah Mehsud, the head of the militants in Aurakzai Agency and a deputy of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud.
The militants acted after a deadline set by them for payment of 'jiziya' by the Sikhs expired on Wednesday. The Sikhs held a meeting at Merozai on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of leaving the area but were unable to reach a decision, media reports said.
Though the Sikhs have been living in Aurakzai Agency for centuries, the Taliban asked them earlier this month to pay Rs 50 million a year as jiziya. The militants claimed this was being done as Shariah or Islamic law had been enforced in the area and all non-Muslims had to pay "protection money".
For more details go to http://www.wwrn.org/article.php?idd=30841&con=26&sec=34
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