EX- CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF INDIA FOR PROBE INTO CHITTISINGHPORA MASSACRE

EX- CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF

INDIA FOR PROBE INTO CHITTISINGHPORA MASSACRE

Gill calls for CBI probe into Chittisinghpora Sikhs’ massacre

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gill-calls-for-cbi-probe-into-chittisinghpora-sikhs-massacre/3422/

Express news service , Posted: Sat Apr 29 2006, 00:00 hrs New Delhi, April 28:

Coffee Maker

Former Chief Election Commissioner and MP M S Gill today called for a ‘complete and comprehensive’ investigation into the massacre of Sikhs in Chittisinghpora. He was reacting to The Indian Express report on the CBI move to chargesheet five Army officers in the infamous Pathribal ‘‘encounter’’ in Anantnag in March 2000.

‘‘The massacre of 35 Sikhs in Chittisinghpora in March 2000 was one of the most tragic incidents in our country’s history. Now that it has been proved that the five Kashmiris killed by the Army were not responsible for the act, the question arises as to who was behind the massacre? Why has there been no CBI inquiry into the massacre, timed to coincide with US President Bill Clinton’s visit to India?’’ asked Gill.

He asked as to why, if the state government could call for a CBI probe into the deaths of five youths who were held responsible for the killings, a similar probe could not be ordered into the massacre itself.

‘‘Did the death of five people outweigh that of 40 others that no need for a CBI inquiry was felt?’’ ‘‘It is strange that the Sikh minority in the state was targeted for the first time when it had remained largely untouched by militancy over decades. How did the Sikhs get on the wrong side of the militants all of a sudden? Why has the role of the army and the state police not been examined in the case?,’’ he questioned, hinting at a possible political angle to the massacre.