India calls Pak official over abduction of Hindu girls

NEW DELHI: The foreign office on Friday summoned a senior official of the Pakistan high commission to protest against the abduction of minority Hindu girls in Pakistan.

"Pakistan has been conveyed the grave concerns as expressed amongst various quarters of Indian civil society at such a shocking and deplorable incident involving minor girls from the minority Hindu community in Pakistan. The incidents have been strongly condemned and immediate safe return of the girls to their families has been sought," government sources said.

Highlighting the travails of Hindus in Pakistan, MEA officials focused on reports of the recent case of two minor girls, Shanti Meghwad and Sarmi Meghwad, who were allegedly abducted on January 14.

"They belong to Umar village, Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan. In another incident, a minor girl, Mehak, also belonging to the minority Hindu community, was abducted from the Jacobabad district of Sindh province in Pakistan on January 15, 2020," the MEA said.

The Modi government's Citizenship (Amendment) Act is intended to make it easier for persecuted Hindus, and five other minority communities, from Pakistan,

Afghanistan

and

Bangladesh

to find an easier route to citizenship in India.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword.