Gurudwara shooting: India seeks assurance from US on safety

NEW DELHI: India has sought an assurance from the United States over the safety of the Indian community there in the wake of the shooting at a Wisconsin gurudwara that left seven people, including the gunman, dead.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who had a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last night, today said he has conveyed India's concerns over the "heinous crime".

"I had the chance to talk to Secretary Clinton who is touring South Africa and I have conveyed our concerns about the attack and loss of previous lives in this heinous crime against the place of religious worship," he said.

Krishna said that "an assurance to the Indian community has to come out from the Obama administration that their interests are going to be safe."

The Minister said he also suggested to Clinton that the places of worship in the US cutting across religious denominations must be given full protection.

"On both accounts, I found Secretary Clinton more than willing to do it. And she is as disturbed as anyone of us in India," he said.

Krishna said FBI has already swung into action and Clinton is waiting for the preliminary report. "Once they are in possession of the report, they will convey it to the Government of India," he said.

US Ambassador Nirupama Rao is also in touch with the White House and the State Department, he said.

On August 5, six persons were killed and three critically injured when a gunman opened fire inside a gurudwara in Wisconsin. The gunman was shot and killed by a police officer.