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US reassures Sikh leaders on hate crimes

T V Parasuram in Washington

Federal Bureau of Investigation director Robert Mueller on Wednesday assured Sikh leaders and other community leaders that the United States does not discriminate on the basis of colour, ethnic origin or religion.

The assurance was called for as Sikhs and Muslims became objects of hate crimes following the September 11 terror attacks.

While Muslims were targeted because Osama bin Laden, an Arab Muslim, was widely suspected to be responsible for the attacks, Sikhs were victimised because they sport beards and wear turbans. Osama also sports a beard and wears a turban.

Mueller said, "A better understanding and a productive exchange of ideas came from the meeting, as well as a commitment to a continuing dialogue on issues of concern to the affected groups."

The meeting discussed ways to ensure the confidence of these communities in law enforcement, increasing the cultural sensitivity of law enforcement, and the value of these communities' assistance in providing greater security for all Americans, a FBI release said.

Both the leaders and the FBI director agreed to continue a FBI initiative to ensure regular contact between FBI field leaders and local leaders.

Mueller assured the leaders that the authorities have brought to bear the 'full strength of federal and state laws to prevent hate crimes and when they did occur, prosecute quickly and aggressively'.

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