"Shocked" Krishna to take up Gurudwara shooting with Hillary Clinton

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New Delhi, Aug 6: External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna on Monday expressed shock at the shooting incident at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin in the US.

Addressing mediapersons here, Krishna assured the Sikh community worldwide that their places of worship will be protected “at all costs,” adding that he would take up the matter with US’ Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“I would like to assure the Sikh Community that their places of worship will be protected at all costs, ” Krishna said.

Condemning the incident, Krishna urged the US to take a “comprehensive look” at the incident.

He said, “The Sikhs who live in the US have earned the respect of both the administration as well as people by their harmonious outlook. I condemn this incident. This is an attitude that doesn’t fit in to the proclaimed policies of the US. It has religious liberty. Anyone regardless of religious beliefs is entitled to pray and any attempt by outsiders to interfere in this has done a great injustice. I have seen messages of condolence from President Obama and others. They’ve emphasised protection of all faiths. They will have to take a comprehensive look at this tendency.”

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said India stands in solidarity with all the peace-loving Americans, who have condemned this violence.

Dr. said that he welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama’s statement on the tragic incident.

“India stands in solidarity with all the peace-loving Americans who have condemned this violence. We welcome the U.S. President’s statement on the tragic incident. We hope that the authorities will reach out to the grieving families and ensure conditions that such violent acts are not repeated in the future,” he said.

U.S. President Obama, who was briefed by his top officials on the shooting, earlier said Sikhs are part of the broader American family.

Dr. said that he is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting incident that has resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to devotees attending a prayer service at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin.

“That this senseless act of violence should be targeted at a place of religious worship is particularly painful. I send my deepest condolences to the families that have been bereaved in this incident. Our thoughts are with them in this moment of their grief,” he added.

In the United States, seven people including the attacker were killed and 20 injured in an attack on a Gurudwara during Sunday morning prayers in Wisconsin.

The tragic incident took place at around 10:30 pm on Sunday as members of the Sikh community were gathering in the 17,000 sq ft Gurudwara in Milwaukee’s Oak Creek suburb.

The unidentified gunman walked into the Gurudwara where he opened indiscriminate firing, killing six people. The gunman was also shot and killed by a police officer who also sustained serious injuries.

Indian Ambassador to U.S., Nirupama Rao, has described the shooting as extremely tragic, and said the embassy is in touch with the National Security Council at White House. (ANI)