Fear grips Sikh-Americans, seek security
Tuesday, 14/06/2016
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=158738&boxid=62900&uid=&dat=2016-06-14
Washington: Sikh-Americans, who have faced hate crimes after every major terror attack, fear a backlash following the Orlando gay club shooting even as the US administration has assured them of their safety.
In a bid to allay growing concerns within the community, the White House sent one of its top officials to a gurdwara in the suburb of Washington DC to meet members of the Sikh community and local leadership to assure them about their safety and interest. “We know, this is a time when some in the community fear unease,” Cecilia Munoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House, said after her interaction with the Sikh community at the oldest gurdwara of Maryland--Guru Nanak Foundation of America. She also attended ‘sangat’ with its members.
“I shared the work that the federal government is doing to make sure that every child is safe and secure in the places of worship,” Munoz said, adding that there was no need to be fearful.
IS admits role in shooting
Beirut: The IS group on Monday claimed responsibility for Orlando shooting that killed 50 people, saying in a radio bulletin that it was carried out by ‘one of the soldiers of the caliphate.’ “God allowed Omar Mateen to carry out an attack... in Orlando in Florida, ” radio bulletin said.
SGPC IS concerned too
Chandigarh: Fearing hate crime in the wake of the Orlando gay club shooting, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday said that it would ask the Centre to take up with the US the issue of safety Sikh-Americans. “What has happened in Orlando is an unfortunate incident. As the Sikhs have faced hate crimes after every major terror attack in the past, we urge our Central government to take up the issue with US,” SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said.
