Zorawar Singh
RAJOURI/JAMMU, June 28: Sikh youth organisations staged protests today in Rajouri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, and Jammu, condemning the Poonch district administration’s failure to protect minorities Sikh and Hindu families from harassment by communal elements deeply penetrated in the wings of local administration.
The protests were triggered by a viral video in which Naveed Ahmad, a Patwari of Halqa Shindhara (Tehsil Haveli, District Poonch), is seen abusing and religiously insulting the Sikh community. Protesters claimed that Naveed, a government employee in the Revenue Department, is inciting communal hatred and allegedly tampering with land records of minorities. They criticized the administration for only attaching him to the office instead of taking stronger disciplinary and legal action of unbecoming of a public servant.
The protestors led by Isher Singh, Mohinder Singh, Romail Singh, Amrit Singh Khalsa (Simble Camp), Gurcharan Singh, and Nasib Singh, demanded immediate dismissal of the Patwari, registration of FIR under IPC Section 295, and a thorough inquiry. They appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to hold the Poonch administration accountable.
They warned the administration of such communal element holding government positions has caused a fear psychosis among the minorities in the Muslim-majority areas of Poonch and Rajouri.
They also raised a separate allegation against ASI Mohammad Rashid (resident of Gulpur), currently serving in Rajouri, accusing him of harassing retired CEO Daljeet Singh to grab his land. Protesters demanded surveillance on officials involved in such acts and urged NIA and SIA to probe their financial activities.
The local Sikh community leaders and Sikh organisations urged to lieutenant governor for dismissal of such a communal minded Revenue Patwari Naveed Ahmad who can be dangerous in his official capacity as he can do severe harm by tempering the revenue records pertaining to the minorities. They demanded an FIR against him and against the ASI for their criminal acts.
The District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) Rajouri also condemned Patwari Naveed’s remarks, calling them deeply hurtful and against the principles of Sikhism, which promotes peace and respects all faiths.
Protesters warned that if no action is taken, they would mobilize further in Poonch.
