JAMMU: A high level meeting of prominent Jammu and Kashmir based Sikh organisations was held today under the chairmanship of Sudershan Singh Wazir, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Sikh United Front.
The meeting included representatives of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Jammu and Kashmir), Bhai Kanaiya Nishkam Sewa Society, A.I.S.S.F and Sikh Naujawan Sabha members of D.G.P.C Jammu.
The Sikh leaders demanded the arrest of the culprits involved in murder of Sikhs in Talwara at Reasi District in 1984 as well as the culprits of the Jammu Sikh massacre of 1989 during which fourteen innocent Sikhs were killed during a Nagar Kirtan.
On 13 January 1989, the Sikhs of Jammu arranged a Nagar Kirtan to commemorate the Gurpurab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The procession of Sikhs was attacked by miscreants connected with the Shiv Sena armed with deadly weapons.
Fourteen Sikhs were killed during the massacre and over one hundred wounded, some seriously. Several Gurdwaras were looted and set on fire as were Sikh owned properties and businesses.
No one was ever arrested or punished for the killings even though evidence suggested the police were witness to the attacks and murders.
A one-man inquiry into the massacre by Justice A Ansari was commissioned in 1989 to investigate the cause and circumstances leading to killing of the Sikhs.
After almost thirty years, the government has failed to publish the report despite intermittent requests from the Sikh community and their representatives.
Speaking in a press conference following today’s meeting, Sikh community representatives said that the community has not got justice and the culprits have been allowed to move around freely.
They demanded the publication of the Ansari Commission Report stating that despite the supreme sacrifices the Sikh community have made for the country, it is very unfortunate that justice continues to elude them.
Whilst commending the Delhi High Court conviction of Sajan Kumar for his role in the 1984 Sikh genocide, the meeting condemned Rahul Gandhi for nominating Kamal Nath as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh despite his alleged involvement in the genocide of Sikhs.
