30 April,2009 12:10 PM IST | | Agencies
Taliban militants have demolished 11 homes of members of the 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 yesterday. The Sikhs held a meeting at Merozai yesterday 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 Sharia law had been enforced in the area and all non-Muslims had to pay protection money. There are about 35 Sikh families living in Ferozkhel near Merozai in Aurakzai Agency. The Taliban occupied two shops and three homes of Sikhs in Ferozkhel on Tuesday to pressure the community into paying jiziya.
