2000 Chittisinghpura massacre: Difference between revisions
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The '''Chittisinghpura massacre''' refers to the shooting to death of 35 [[Sikh]]s |
The '''Chittisinghpura massacre''' refers to the shooting to death of 35 [[Sikh]]s by the [[Islamic Fundamentalist]] [[militant Islam|militant]] group [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] on March, 2000 , in the [[Kathua]] District of the State of [[Jammu and Kashmir]] in [[India]]. |
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The killers were disguised in Indian Army fatigues to avoid detection. The massacre took place when the militants opened fire on the villagers, resulting in a large number of deaths. The sole survivor of the massacre was Nanak Singh [[Aulakh]], who recounted the events to reporters.<ref name = "NDTV_Inquiry">[http://ndtv.com/topstories/showtopstory.asp?id=4455 Inquiry into Chittisinghpura Massacre comes too late residents say], ''ndtv.com''</ref> |
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The residents were killed by [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] as part of their [[Islamist]] [[Terrorism in Kashmir|campaign in the region]]. A Lashkar-e-Toiba militant named Sohail Malik of [[Sialkot]], who was arrested in December of the same year, admitted to the involvement of the group and had no regret in perpetrating the anti-Sikh massacre. Malik said he had opened fire because he had been ordered to do so by his commanders. He also said that he knew nothing about the plot to kill the Sikhs until he stood in an orchard where the 35 people were killed. [[Pakistan Rangers]] had taught Malik marksmanship and mountain climbing. He infiltrated India in October 1999, with the equivalent of [[USD]] 200 in expense money, in order to participate in the massacre. <ref name=rediff>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/dec/31sikh.htm Lashkar militant admits killing Sikhs in Chittisinghpura],''Rediff.com''</ref>. |
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Wearing Indian Army fatigues to avoid detection, the killers came into the village in two groups at separate ends of the village where the two Gurdwaras were located. They first lined up the Sikhs, who had been celebrating the Holi and [[Hola Mahalla]] Festival, in front of their Gurdwaras and opened fire. 35 people were killed. |
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The sole survivor of the massacre was Nanak Singh, who was first saved by falling under someone who had been shot and then was wounded in the pelvis. Lying still and managing not to scream, which would have revealed his being alive, he recalled hearing the terrorists laughing over their deeds while sending a 'mission accomplished' message over their walkie-talkie. His sons Gurmeet Singh (16) and brother Darbari Singh (30) and three first cousins were among the dead. His oldest son was away at the time. |
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The Sikhs were singled out for the massacre, the village also had many Muslim and Hindus. Some of the Sikh widows spoke of their husbands being called out by name. |
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The village did not have a telephone, some boys who came on the scene had to run 7 km, over a mud road, to reach a phone and summon help. |
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==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
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The killings of 36 Sikhs was a turning point in the [[Terrorism in Kashmir|Kashmir issue]], where Sikhs had usually been spared from militant violence. |
The killings of 36 Sikhs was a turning point in the [[Terrorism in Kashmir|Kashmir issue]], where Sikhs had usually been spared from militant violence. |
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The villagers ensured that the local school was up and running just two weeks after the killings. The massacre created tension and distrust between the Sikh and Muslim residents of the area, but no problems developed at the joint Muslim-Sikh village school. |
The villagers ensured that the local school was up and running just two weeks after the killings. The massacre created tension and distrust between the Sikh and Muslim residents of the area, but no problems developed at the joint Muslim-Sikh village school.<ref name = "NDTV_Inquiry"/> |
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In 2005, Sikh organizations such as the Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Seva Society demanded a deeper state inquiry into the details of the massacre<ref name = "Tribune">[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051112/j&k.htm#3 Sikhs want CBI probe into Chittisinghpura Massacre], ''tribuneindia.com''</ref> and for the inquiry to be made public. The state government ordered an inquiry into the massacre. A day after the inquiry was ordered, NDTV special correspondent Barkha Dutt went to the village. |
In 2005, Sikh organizations such as the Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Seva Society demanded a deeper state inquiry into the details of the massacre<ref name = "Tribune">[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051112/j&k.htm#3 Sikhs want CBI probe into Chittisinghpura Massacre], ''tribuneindia.com''</ref> and for the inquiry to be made public. The state government ordered an inquiry into the massacre. A day after the inquiry was ordered, NDTV special correspondent Barkha Dutt went to the village.<ref name = "NDTV_Inquiry" /> |
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==Clinton Controversy== |
==Clinton Controversy== |
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The massacre coincided with the visit of [[United States]] president [[Bill Clinton]] to India. In an introduction to a book written by [[Madeleine Albright]] titled ''The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs (2006)'', he accused "Hindu Militants" of perpetrating the act. This error created a major incident, with both Hindu and Sikh groups expressing outrage at the inaccuracy. Clinton's office did not return calls seeking comment or clarification. In the hours immediately after the massacre in March 2000, the US condemned the killings but refused to accept the Indian government's contention that it was the work of [[Pakistan]]i [[Islamist]] groups. The publishers, [[Harper Collins]] routed a correction through Albright's office. In a public statement they acknowledged the mistake.<ref name="Times">[http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA2LzA1LzE5I0FyMDE0MDE=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom Clinton goofs up on J&K killings],''Times of India''</ref> |
The massacre coincided with the visit of [[United States]] president [[Bill Clinton]] to India. In an introduction to a book written by [[Madeleine Albright]] titled ''The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs (2006)'', he accused "Hindu Militants" of perpetrating the act. This error created a major incident, with both Hindu and Sikh groups expressing outrage at the inaccuracy. Clinton's office did not return calls seeking comment or clarification. In the hours immediately after the massacre in March 2000, the US condemned the killings but refused to accept the Indian government's contention that it was the work of [[Pakistan]]i [[Islamist]] groups. That changed as soon as Clinton's error was exposed. The publishers, [[Harper Collins]] routed a correction through Albright's office. In a public statement they acknowledged the mistake.<ref name="Times">[http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA2LzA1LzE5I0FyMDE0MDE=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom Clinton goofs up on J&K killings],''Times of India''</ref> |
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Page xi of the Mighty and the Almighty contains a reference to Hindu militants that will be deleted in subsequent printings, both in America and in international editions. This error was due to a failure in the fact-checking process.<ref name="Times"/> |
Page xi of the Mighty and the Almighty contains a reference to Hindu militants that will be deleted in subsequent printings, both in America and in international editions. This error was due to a failure in the fact-checking process.<ref name="Times"/> |
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Revision as of 07:36, 2 January 2009
The Chittisinghpura massacre refers to the shooting to death of 35 Sikhs by the Islamic Fundamentalist militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba on March, 2000 , in the Kathua District of the State of Jammu and Kashmir in India.
The killings
The killers were disguised in Indian Army fatigues to avoid detection. The massacre took place when the militants opened fire on the villagers, resulting in a large number of deaths. The sole survivor of the massacre was Nanak Singh Aulakh, who recounted the events to reporters.[1]
The residents were killed by Lashkar-e-Toiba as part of their Islamist campaign in the region. A Lashkar-e-Toiba militant named Sohail Malik of Sialkot, who was arrested in December of the same year, admitted to the involvement of the group and had no regret in perpetrating the anti-Sikh massacre. Malik said he had opened fire because he had been ordered to do so by his commanders. He also said that he knew nothing about the plot to kill the Sikhs until he stood in an orchard where the 35 people were killed. Pakistan Rangers had taught Malik marksmanship and mountain climbing. He infiltrated India in October 1999, with the equivalent of USD 200 in expense money, in order to participate in the massacre. [2].
Aftermath
The killings of 36 Sikhs was a turning point in the Kashmir issue, where Sikhs had usually been spared from militant violence.
The villagers ensured that the local school was up and running just two weeks after the killings. The massacre created tension and distrust between the Sikh and Muslim residents of the area, but no problems developed at the joint Muslim-Sikh village school.[1]
In 2005, Sikh organizations such as the Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Seva Society demanded a deeper state inquiry into the details of the massacre[3] and for the inquiry to be made public. The state government ordered an inquiry into the massacre. A day after the inquiry was ordered, NDTV special correspondent Barkha Dutt went to the village.[1]
Clinton Controversy
The massacre coincided with the visit of United States president Bill Clinton to India. In an introduction to a book written by Madeleine Albright titled The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs (2006), he accused "Hindu Militants" of perpetrating the act. This error created a major incident, with both Hindu and Sikh groups expressing outrage at the inaccuracy. Clinton's office did not return calls seeking comment or clarification. In the hours immediately after the massacre in March 2000, the US condemned the killings but refused to accept the Indian government's contention that it was the work of Pakistani Islamist groups. That changed as soon as Clinton's error was exposed. The publishers, Harper Collins routed a correction through Albright's office. In a public statement they acknowledged the mistake.[4]
Page xi of the Mighty and the Almighty contains a reference to Hindu militants that will be deleted in subsequent printings, both in America and in international editions. This error was due to a failure in the fact-checking process.[4]
Mishra Controversy
The apparent error was aggravated by Clinton's refusal to acknowledge it, and exacerbated by Pankaj Mishra's book Temptations of the West: How to be Modern in India, Pakistan, Tibet and Beyond where he repeated the allegations against Hindus even after the confession of the Lashkar-e-Toiba militants.[5].
Chittisinghpura massacre in film
The massacre was depicted in the commercial Bollywood film Adharm (unholy) directed by Adeep Singh.
References
- ^ a b c Inquiry into Chittisinghpura Massacre comes too late residents say, ndtv.com
- ^ Lashkar militant admits killing Sikhs in Chittisinghpura,Rediff.com
- ^ Sikhs want CBI probe into Chittisinghpura Massacre, tribuneindia.com
- ^ a b Clinton goofs up on J&K killings,Times of India
- ^ Mishra, Pankaj, Temptations of the West : How to Be Modern in India, Pakistan, Tibet, and Beyond
