Srinagar: A Kashmir-based Sikh group has
demanded a re-investigation into the Chattisinghpora Sikh massacre case and the subsequent Pathribal fake encounter
case.
In a letter to the Supreme Court, All Parties Sikh
Coordination Committee headed by Jagmohan Singh Raina asked
Justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar to hold a fresh probe
into both these incidents.
"A comprehensive and time-bound enquiry into the killing
of 36 Sikhs at Chattisingpura (in March 2000) is the only way
to find out the truth about all the events that took place
after that massacre," Raina said.
Lashkar-e-Toiba militants allegedly carried out massacre
of Sikhs in Chattisinghpura village in March 2000, days ahead
of arrival of then US president Bill Clinton in India for an
official visit.
Army claimed to have killed the five "militants" involved
in the massacre few days later but a CBI probe has concluded that the deceased were innocent civilians.
The premier investigating agency filed a chargesheet
against five armymen, including a Brigadier in a civil court,
but Army challenged the move in higher courts on the grounds
that sanction for prosecution has not been sought as required
under AFSPA.
The matter is pending before the Supreme Court as Army
has got no relief from the sub-ordinate courts.
"We welcome the Supreme Court`s condemnation of the
Pathribal incident (killing of five civilians) in March 2000
and terming it as a sceptical encounter. All those responsible
for it should be brought to the book," Raina said.
PTI
