In the midst of a region often marked by conflict and hardship, two stories from Kashmir have unfolded over the past week that reflect both the enduring pain of past tragedies and the remarkable resilience of its people. While authorities have announced a new probe into the notorious 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre, fresh acts of solidarity and compassion are taking place on the ground as communities come together to help those stranded by the ongoing closure of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway.
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha made headlines by announcing a renewed investigation into the Chittisinghpora massacre—one of the most haunting episodes in the region’s recent history. According to The Times of India, the massacre occurred in March 2000, when Pakistan-backed militants killed 35 Sikh villagers in the Anantnag district. The attack shocked the nation and drew international attention, coinciding with then-US President Bill Clinton’s visit to India.
The announcement of a fresh probe came after Sinha met with a delegation from the Shaheed Singhs Welfare Organisation, led by its chairman S Jagjeet Singh. The group, representing the families of the victims, pressed for a comprehensive inquiry and a set of relief measures. Their demands included compassionate appointments under SRO-43, welfare benefits on par with non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits, reservation in government colleges and universities, and financial support to construct a memorial at the massacre site in Chittisinghpora.
In a statement, Sinha assured the families that "a thorough inquiry will be conducted and justice will be served." He further promised that the "issues and grievances of families of the civilians martyred in the massacre will be addressed with utmost sensitivity and on priority." The government also committed to providing compassionate jobs to eligible family members and financial aid for self-employment initiatives.
For many, these assurances are long overdue. The SRO-43 scheme, which the families referenced, was originally designed to provide employment opportunities to the dependents of government workers who died in harness or as a result of militancy-related violence. However, as reported by The Times of India, this scheme was replaced in 2022 by the Jammu & Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS), which introduced a merit-based screening system for such appointments. The change has complicated access to the kind of support the families seek, making the current promises from the administration all the more significant.
The Chittisinghpora massacre has remained a deeply sensitive subject in Kashmir for more than two decades. Many in the Sikh community and beyond have long called for a credible investigation, arguing that justice has yet to be delivered. The timing of the massacre, during President Clinton’s visit, led to widespread speculation about motives and accountability, but previous inquiries left many questions unanswered. The new probe, as announced by Sinha, is being watched closely by local and national observers alike, with hopes that it will finally bring closure to the bereaved families and perhaps some measure of healing to the wider community.
While the wheels of justice turn slowly, Kashmir’s communities continue to demonstrate their capacity for compassion and unity, especially in moments of crisis. On September 9, 2025, with the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway still closed due to ongoing disruptions, a remarkable scene has played out in the Vessu migrant colony of Anantnag. There, Kashmiri Pandits—many of whom are themselves migrants—have organized a daily effort to provide food, water, and other essentials to hundreds of stranded drivers and passengers.
According to The Kashmiriyat, more than 2,000 rotis, along with sabzi, are being prepared every day by volunteers from both genders in the colony. Speaking to the newspaper, Sanjay Pandita, a resident of the Vessu migrant colony, explained, "This is our small way of sharing the pain of those stuck on the highway. For the last week, we have been pooling whatever resources we can. It is heartening to see our community come forward voluntarily, contributing flour, vegetables, and their time. Humanity comes before everything else."
Another volunteer, Rajinder Nath, echoed these sentiments, noting, "We know what it feels like to be helpless in difficult times. That is why we have made this effort to ensure drivers and passengers don’t sleep hungry. People from all walks of life, Kashmiri Pandits as well as local Kashmiri Muslims, have extended support to this cause. It’s a reminder that compassion is still alive in Kashmir."
Such gestures, locals point out, are not new to the region. In times of natural calamities or prolonged road blockades, Kashmiris have a tradition of looking beyond religious or ethnic divides to help one another. "When crisis strikes, Kashmiris forget all divides and stand together," said one of the volunteers, highlighting a spirit of unity that endures despite the region’s fraught history.
These acts of kindness are especially poignant given the backdrop of the Chittisinghpora massacre and the subsequent pain endured by so many families. While the wounds of the past are still raw for many, the willingness of communities to come together in the present—whether by demanding justice or by feeding the hungry—offers a glimpse of hope and resilience.
Elsewhere in the region, the challenges of daily life persist. The closure of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, a crucial lifeline for goods and people, has left many stranded and cut off from essential supplies. The efforts of the Vessu migrant colony volunteers have provided much-needed relief, but they also serve as a reminder of the precariousness that still defines life for many in Kashmir.
For the families of the Chittisinghpora victims, the promise of a new investigation is both a source of hope and a test of faith in the system. For those stranded on the highway, the simple act of receiving a warm meal is a testament to the power of community in the face of adversity. Together, these stories capture the complex reality of Kashmir today—a place where tragedy and compassion often walk hand in hand, and where the search for justice and the practice of humanity continue, side by side.
As Kashmir moves forward, the coming weeks will reveal whether the new probe into the Chittisinghpora massacre can finally deliver the answers and accountability that so many have sought. In the meantime, the daily acts of kindness by ordinary Kashmiris remind everyone that, even in the shadow of grief, the light of solidarity can still shine brightly.
