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Visit To Chithi Singhpora - Events Prior To Visit
1.1 Introduction On March 20. 2000 the Indian subcontinent exploded with the news of the mass massacre of thirty-five innocent Sikhs in the village of Chithi Singhpora in Anantnag district of the Kashmir Valley. The impact of this was visible the world over next day when the startling news of the cold-blooded killings were splashed across the world by the media. It was not co-incidental that President Clinton had started his visit to the Indian subcontinent on that day. His reaction was sharp. He decried the killings of civilians vehemently and declared that these must stop before any worthwhile progress could be made in talks between India and Pakistan. The media lapped up President Clinton's statement with relish. Without any investigation it was assumed to be the work of Pakistan sponsored mercenaries already operating in the valley. Pakistan's credibility took a strong beating. The Huriat Conference felt humiliated as they had always supported the militant's cause i.e., independence of J & K. This was surely a black deed by all standards. Thirty five Sikh Kashmiris had been killed in cold blood apparently to intemationalise the Kashmir conflict. Indian politicians were gleeful. This however was short lived. On March 25, 2OOO came the news of the killings of five so-called foreign mercenaries in Pathribal by the Indian security forces. The nation was told that the killers of Chithi Singhpora had been eliminated. Once again the nation was started by the media revelations with-in four days that the five so-called militants were actually innocent civilians. Hartals (Strikes) and processions rocked the whole valley and the police messed it up further by firing on a so-called unruly procession and killing eight innocent civilians. The valley was rocked with further protests and hartals. The valley of Kashmir had been under the occupation of Afghans, Mughals, Sikhs and Dogra rulers. Ladhak region of Kashmir was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century and since then it has continued to be, part of Jammu and Kashmir. The British sold Kashmir to Dogra Gulab Singh as a reward for his loyal services and betrayal of the Sikhs in 1846 for a nominal amount. In 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh, the then Maharaja of Kashmir, signed the accession documents on three subjects - Foreign affairs, defence and communications. Since then like the other Indian princely states it is part of the Indian Union. The Sikh population in the Kashmir valley is estimated at seventy thousand spread over one hundred and thirty villages. The main population centres are Baramula, Tral and Anantnag. A few businessmen and professionals are well settled in Srinagar. Their main occupations are agriculture, transport and business. A few are employed in government service. In the last eleven years the Sikhs have lived very amicably with their neighbours be they Muslims or Pandits. In fact our team found a rare co-operation between the Sikhs and the Muslim population of Anantnag, Srinagar and other areas in the Valley. During - the hartals over the killings, the Muslims population, fearing mass migration by the Sikhs, were vehement about their support to the Sikhs. Some even declared that migration by the Sikhs would be over their dead bodies. This display of emotion was clearly sincere and spontaneous and touched the hearts of the Sikhs. Today because of this support the Sikhs have temporarily decided not to leave their hearth and home in spite of the lurking fear of further killings. They have temporarily deferred the decision to migrate en mass. A team of prominent Human Rights activists from Punjab visited the Kashmir valley for a week. It constituted of the following:
The team visited and talked to all concerned people residing In Anantnag district. They also visited Srinagar and discussed matters with prominent Sikhs, the Press, some Huriat leaders and the local populace of Srinagar area. Very useful data was collected by means of eyewitness accounts, meetings, visits to Chithi Singhpora, Matan, Anantnag, Mominabad and the surrounding villages. This is recorded in the succeeding paragraphs. 1.2 Important Statements of Political Leaders The investigative teams was fully aware of statements made by various political leaders and media reports published in various English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi Newspapers. Important statements of various political leaders which are most relevant to this issue are listed below:- 1.2.1 Chief Minister J & K - Farooq Abdullah PTI, Jammu, March 1,2000 "Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has cautioned people of Pakistan which might create problems in view of the ensuing visit by US President Bill Clinton to India. Pakistan wants to give an impression to the visiting US President that Jammu and Kashmir is burning, Abdullah told at annual function of Sanatan Dharam higher secondary school here yesterday. He said Pak-sponsored terrorism has brought miseries to the people in Kashmir and converted the paradise on earth into a hell. The Chief Minister, however, exuded confidence that the state will overcome all its problems and a new era of peace will dawn very soon... ." 1.2.2 National Security Advisor - Brajesh Mishra Tribune News Service, New Delhi, March 21, 2000 "The National Security Advisor, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, Today said that a combined group of mercenary outfits, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen were behind the massacre at Chatti Singhpura village in Anantnag District last night. Mr. Mishra told correspondents that the government had evidence that the militant groups were led by Lashkar commander Abu Mahas while the Hizbul militants involved in the incident were from the Maulvi faction. Mr Mishra said both these groups were pro-Pakistan terrorist groups." 1.2.3 Parliamentary Affairs Minister - Pramod Mahajan The Kashmir Monitor; Srinagar; April 14, 2000 "....We would only say sorry if the security forces are indicated in many of the such killings.....security forces would not be punished for the killings of civilians it would demoralize the troops who are fighting insurgency in different states....." 1.2.4 Union Home Minister - L.K. Advani Tribune News Service, New Delhi, April 19, 2000 "Mr Advani informed Mr Suresh Kalmadi that there were reports of possible militant action during the visit of US President Bill Clinton, but there was no confirmation that a Sikh village was a target....." 1.2.5 Other Media Reports Prior to the Chithi Singhpora carnage there had been frequent statements by the central leadership and by the State Police of J & K and Punjab expressing concern at the growing nexus between the Kashmir and Punjab militants. The Punjab regional paper Punjab Kasri, dated March 26, 2000 mentioned this nexus and also the arrest of three suspected Sikh militants in J&K. |
