Srinagar, March 20, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the All-Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has deplored that no headway has been made so far in the Chittisinghpora mass killing case of Sikhs despite the passing of 19 years.
Thirty-five members of Sikh community were killed in disguise by Indian troops in Chittisinghpora area of Islamabad district on March 20 in 2000 on the eve of the then US President, Bill Clinton’s visit to India. A few days later, Indian Army had claimed of killing five foreign militants involved in the Chittisinghpora massacre during an encounter in Pathribal area of the district.
Their bodies were charred beyond recognition. However, the investigations proved that the slain persons were local youth, picked up from their homes by the Indian Army and were killed in a fake encounter. Several more people were martyred in Brakpora in the firing of Indian troops on the demonstrators who were protesting against the Pathribal fake encounter.
The APSCC Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina, in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the delay in provision of justice had led to disillusionment among the members of Sikh community. “It is important that justice is delivered to the victim families. At the same time investigations need to be carried out in the sequence of events that unfolded later on as 15 more persons belonging to majority (Muslim) community were also killed in the aftermath of the Chittisinghpora massacre,” he said.
Jagmohan Singh Raina said since the locals countered the claims of the Indian Army that it killed five persons involved in the killing of 35 Sikhs it is imperative that the whole incident is probed in a professional manner so that culprits are brought to book and justice is delivered to the affected families.
He said it is a known fact that investigations conducted by the Indian agencies are always dubious and that they work under influence. He demanded an impartial probe by some independent body to bring the truth to fore.
He also expressed his sympathies to the families of persons who were killed in the firing of Indian troops in Brakpora who were protesting against the fake encounter. Meanwhile, APHC AJK chapter at a meeting in Islamabad, today, expressed solidarity with the victim Sikh families. The meeting was presided over by its Convener, Syed Abdullah Gilani.
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