Patiala, June 27, 2013: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has sought a report from the Uttarakhand Minorities Commission regarding the loss of life and property of Sikh devotees in the recent floods. Ajaib Singh, an NCM member, has written a letter to Uttarakhand commission chairman Narinderjit Singh Bindra in this regard. Bindra is also the vice-chairman of the Shri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust (SHSMT).

"The NCM has been receiving reports of heavy loss of life and property of Sikh devotees who were visiting Hemkunt Sahib, Gobind Ghat and Gobind Dham gurdwaras," Ajaib wrote in the letter.

The NCM member said, "It is reported that more than Rs. 1.5 crore worth of rations belonging to gurdwaras, more than 200 cars and a huge block used to accommodate devotees have been washed away."

"The actual extent of the damage be ascertained first and a report be sent in order to enable the commission to make recommendations to the Centre and the state government for compensation to victims," Ajaib wrote.

Bindra acknowledged receiving the letter and said reports had been sought from district magistrates and commissioners of divisions in Uttarakhand at the earliest.

"We will file a consolidated report within a fortnight," Bindra said on the phone from Dehradun.

Source: Hindustan Times, DT. June 27, 2013.