(a) whether there is a feeling of insecurity among the villagers after the massacre of 35 sikhs in Chittisinghpura village in Anantnag District of Jammu & Kashmir;
(b) if so, the factual position in this regard;
(c) the number of sikhs who have migrated from Jammu & Kashmir due to the said incident;
(d) whether the Government have taken any measures to provide adequate security cover for all the villages predominantly inhabited by the sikhs; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI L.K. ADVANI)
(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.602 FOR ANSWER ON 9TH MAY, 2000.
(a)&(b) : The killing of 35 Sikhs in Chittisinghpura village, in Anantnag District appears to have been part of the strategy of Pakistan sponsored terrorist organisations to create panic and terror among minority communities, with a view to force them to migrate from J&K. The security cover subsequently provided to Sikh inhabited villages which include, inter alia, deployment of security pickets has bolstered the confidence of the Sikh population in the Valley/State. A number of joint meetings of various communities have been held by State Government agencies at various places, as a confidence building measure.
(c): There is no report of any migration of Sikhs from J&K due to this incident.
(d)&(e): The following security measures have been taken by the Government :
i. Villages in the Valley with Sikh population have been provided security pickets;
ii. Security grid around the villages inhabited by the Sikhs has been strengthened;
iii. Patrolling/naka checking, additional deployment in the Sikh dominated mohallas have been intensified;
iv. All the Police Stations/Special Operation groups have been tasked to collect intelligence and launch joint operations with the help of security forces;
v. To nab/neutralize terrorists, SFs have been directed by State Government to lay ambushes near the villages inhabited by the Sikhs;
vi. Holding of regular coordination meetings at various levels to share intelligence on terrorism and launching pinpointed operations.