Pakistan allows Hindu pilgrims to cross into India after detention

Amritsar, Aug.11 (ANI): Pakistan has allowed a group of Hindus pilgrims to cross into India after seven hours of detention, despite reports that they were planning to migrate to escape from abductions and attacks on their business establishments.

At least 200 Pakistani Hindu pilgrims were detained at the Wagah crossing near Lahore after the reports of migration surfaced in local media.

Though, the pilgrims had valid visas, they informed that there were rumours that these pilgrims would not return because of mounting attacks against minorities in Sindh and other parts of Pakistan.

"Somebody from Jacobabad had spread rumours. We have a Hindu leader, who said that 60 families from Jacobabad are planning to migrate to India," said Anup Kumar, a pilgrim from Pakistan after he had arrived Amritsar.

Kumar added that they were allowed to cross the border after they gave assurances in writing that they would return to Pakistan within 30 days.

In the recent years, Hindu families have been shifting to India permanently to escape killings, abductions and forced conversion of religion.

"Minorities (in Pakistan) do face problems as they are the weaker section. They are willing to shift to India as they feel that security is better as compared to Pakistan," said Radha Krishna, another pilgrim.

There have been reports of Hindu families living in Pakistan's Sindh and Balochistan provinces, which are fleeing to getaway from violence and discrimination. There are reports of abductions, Hindu traders being kidnapped for ransom and forced conversion to Islam from these provinces. (ANI)