HC seeks response from Centre, J&K in Chattisinghpora Sikhs massacre case

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today sought response of the Centre and the state government on a petition seeking a probe into the killing of 35 Sikhs in Chattisinghpora area in March 2000.

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justices Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and M H Attar issued notices to respondents including the Centre and the state government to reply to the petition within two weeks.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed by one Sardar Avtar Singh Sodhi, a resident of Mehjoor Nagar area here.

Lashkar-e-Toiba militants massacred 35 Sikhs at Chttisinghpora village of Anantnag district on March 20, 2000 - a day before then US President Bill Clinton was to arrive on his maiden visit to India.

In 2010, LeT associate David Headley, who was arrested in connection with the 2008 Mumbai attacks, reportedly confessed to the National Investigation Agency that the outfit carried out the Chattisinghpora massacre.

Headley is said to have identified an LeT militant named Muzzamil as part of the group which carried out the killings apparently to create communal tension just before Clinton's visit.

The other major relief sought by the petitioner is reservation for Sikhs of J&K in all state departments and all other state institutions including the Legislature, Judiciary and executive.