1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Affidavits

Affidavit submitted before the Misra Commission

I, Gurdyal Singh S/o S. Mohan Singh, resident of A-3/72, Nand Nagari, Delhi (Relief Camp Gurdwara Nanak Piao) was the elected President of Nand Nagari continuously for the last 7 / 8 years.

I Gurdyal Singh, above named deponent, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under: -

1. That in the various gurpurabs celebrated on behalf of the Gurdwara, the entire Sangat including Sehjdhari Sikhs (Mona Sikhs) and other Punjabis and their families have been taking interest without any discrimination.

2. That we were very much grieved on the tragic assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31st October, 1984. We did not even take our food that night. With the consent of other members, the Parbhat Pheri which had started on 29th October, 1984, was not taken out on 1-11-84.

3. That on 1-11-84 at about 10 AM, we learnt that there has been an attack on the Gurdwara. Prior to this, some unknown faces came in our street under the pretext of selling green leaves (Sag). Many persons purchased the green leaves (Sag). At the time of attack, I could not dare go near the Gurdwara because the crowd was in large number. The roofs and walls of the Gurdwara building were being pulled down, as if they had the necessary expertise in their work. Disprespect was being shown to Guru Granth Sahib. The utensils, beddings and other valuable articles belonging to the Gurdwara were being taken to the houses opposite D-3. I witnessed all these from the adjoining house. The mob had lathis, iron rods etc. Some residents of Nand Nagari were also naming the Sikhs and giving their addresses. There was great hue and cry.

4. I was forced by circumstances to hid myself in my house. From the womenfolk of the neighbours I came to know that many Sikhs of the lane had been killed. The household goods and the houses were being burnt. At last at about 6 PM, when the lights went off, I decided to leave the house after getting my hair and beard cut off. There was no otherway out. The mob was moving in the street. Concealing myself from the mob, I reached near the Gurdwara. At that time, the priest of the Gurdwara was being beaten to death. Many voices were heard from out of the mob that the President of the Gurdwara, Gurdyal Singh, should also be killed. Sensing danger to my life, I went to the house of Dhram Singh of Block A-2 in the night, after passing through the streets, so that I could have some support. I was not aware of the whereabouts of my children. Some ladies from my Mohalla were also there from where I could know that my elder son, Kamaldip Singh, aged 28 years and the younger son, Surinderpal Singh, aged 26 years had been killed in the riots. My house had been burnt and the entire household goods had been looted.

5. The mob came to know at night time that the President of the Gurdwara had been hiding here. To save my life, I left that house and took shelter in some other house in village Kassipur. At 4 O'clock in the morning my whereabouts became known there also because some people were saying outside the house that the President was here. So I had to abandon this shelter also. At that time two boys from the Mohalla were also with me. Frightened and concealing my identity, I reached Sahibabad in the morning. On my way, I saw houses and shops on fire. I got a train from Sahibabad railway station which was bound for Delhi. On my way, the train halted at Vivek Vihar, Shahdara, Seelampur and Jamana Bridge and there was mob at every station, with iron rods, bottles and lathis in their hands. The Sikhs were being dragged from out of the train and killed. Large number of dead bodies could be seen on all the sides of the stations. I was saved because I had cut off my hair. At last, I reached the Rest Room at the old Delhi Railway Station where I saw about 100 Sikh families which had been saved but they were crying in a wounded condition. On 2nd November, a train came from Punjab at about 10 O'clock, in which Subedar Man Singh was traveling. He was also weeping. He told me that he was a Sub-Guard with the treasure and because he had the weapon, the mob did not attack him. He had also witnesses killing of the Sikhs. He rang up his unit from the railway station. A vehicle (truck) arrived there in which there were 30 – 40 persons of Saddar, Delhi Cantt. who were taken to the Gurdwara. He took about 10 persons to his house also. Amongst them, I also stayed in that house till 6-11-84. From that house, I witnessed the scene of Palam Mor, Subedar Man Singh sent me to Amritsar by 12:30 Flight on 6-11-84 and also paid the air fare. In Punjab, after visiting Amritsar and Jullundhar. I stayed in the house of my in-laws at Ambala. From them I sent two ladies to Nand Nagari, Delhi to know about the welfare of my family.

6. Arjan sent them to Nanaksar Camp and there they met my family members. On their return, they apprized me of the entire position. On 8-12-84, I reached Delhi; met my family members in the Nanaksar Camp and stayed in the Camp for a few days. There were a number of families of our Mohalla. I collected the information from these families and on the basis of that information, prepared a Report. A copy of that Report is annexed to this affidavit.

SD/- DEPONENT

REPORT

On 1-11-84, at about 9 AM, approximately 2500 unknown persons entered Nand Nagri from Lone side. On entering the colony, suddenly they attacked Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha (Regd.) Nand Nagri-93. Amonst the persons involved in the attack two had guns with them. The others carried iron rods, lathis, stones, kerosene, petrol cans, chemical powder and plastic bags etc. When the Gurdwara was attacked, Kaka Manjit Singh aged 25 years and Kaka Daljit Singh, aged 23 years, the sons of Priest Mohinder Paul Singh, tried to reach the Gurdwara but the ground floor of their house was also on fire. The poor fellows looking to the disrespect being shown to the Gurdwara, jumped from the upper storey and went to the Police Station to inform the police about it. But the two brothers did not return back home and became the target of violent mob, the Sikh families from the first street of Block-3 adjoining the Gurdwara tried to prevent the attack but at the assurance of the local police, which was performing the role of passive spectators, all the families entered their houses thinking that perhaps the police will protect them, little knowing that within next 10 – 15 minutes all their houses will be set on fire. The grieved families, tried to prevent the attack from the upper storeys of their houses but they were helpless before the attackers who had all the resources at their command and were in quite a large number. It looked that the invaders were under proper leadership. It also looked as if was a pre-planned conspiracy of the invaders that the Sikh families should not be able to unite. Even then the names of the following persons who had died fighting are worth mentioning: -

S. Gulab Singh, S. Inder Singh, S. Ajit Singh, S. Harbhajan Singh.

The co-operation by the Hindu families in the Mohallas, did not help – rather many of them helped the rioters in the killings of the Sikhs their names are given in Appendix – 1.

Blocks A-3, B-3, B-5, C-2, D-2 and E-3 of Nand Nagri and Sunder Nagri and the Janta Flats of Nand Nagri were most affected. Amongst these killed in this holocaust were the children, girls, male members and in a large the young boys. Besides the loss of life, financial loss was also heavy. The household goods were looted, set on fire and the houses were burnt. The details of these losses are as per Appendix – 2. There were three Gurdwaras in the whole of Nand Nagri in Block – A-3, Block B-3 and Block – F. All the Gurdwara were destroyed, so much so that bricks, girders doors and windows were still being taken away by the people. The response from the police is negative. The violent attacks went on till the night of 3rd November, 1984. The Sikh families which had been saved, had taken shelter in the Camps of Sham Lal College, Nanaksar and Gurdwara Nanak Piao. While the Government has provided DDA flats to the widows in lieu of their houses which had been destroyed, but those families which had suffered loss of life and property and were dishonoured, are not being settled in a new place as yet. They are still spending their days in the Camps in Gurdwara Nanak Piao. There are very few Sikh families who have settled in the cities of Punjab. No doubt, the Camps, necessities of life are being provided but the Sikh families should not be made beggars. Efforts should be made that they should earn their livelihood by putting in labour, afresh. It is therefore, very necessary to make arrangements for their rehabilitation. Even if these people gather courage to go back to Nand Nagri, the threats and taunts of local residents of Nand Nagri are a hurdle. The attitude of police is negative and unhelpful.

A report about the destruction cause specially in Block A-3 of Nand Nagri was lodged with the Police Post Nand Nagri. In this connection reference is made to FIR No.511, U/s 147,148,149,427,436,302,201 IPC dated 9-11-84. Because of looting, rape of women and large scale killings in this area, a copy of the above FIR, which covers all the residents of A-3 Block has been sent by the Police Station Seemapuri, Delhi to the vigilance department of Police Headquarters, ITO so that the crimes could be enquired and the culprits apprehended. The concerned authorites have been visiting the camps and enquiring from the Sikh families (Inspector Jain Singh, Delhi Police). The police had identified many culprits but still these culprits are at large in Nand Nagri so much so, that while they had looted the utensils, stores etc. of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Nand Nagri, the left over bricks were carried away. At the height of all this, in this area, the DDA according to a new scheme has constructed a road in the boundary of the Gurdwara. Two surviving members of the Singh Sabha out of an Executive Committee originally of all members, had also met the Superintending Engineer, Circle-3, DDA but there is no response. Under these circumstances, how can the families living in Camps be persuaded to return to Nand Nagri? It would be better if these persons, are also settled near the place where the widows have been rehabilitated, so that these persons, knowing each other's sufferings could peacefully spend the remaining days of their lives.

The general feeling is that the killers who came on 1-11-84 have not generally been identified, but they seemed to be well trained in their profession. They knew how to burn alive a man after rendering him helpless. For example a man is made half-dead by hitting him on his head, or the legs of a person running away are broken so that he is incapacitated to run, to disfigure him, firstly his face was burnt with oil or a special type of powder so that the victim could not be identified and later on left them half – burnt in the search of next target. The last rites of many dead were performed even on 2nd or 3rd day so that the nearby people could get rid of the foul smell. It is said that the legs of two young sons of S. Mohinder Paul Singh were, in the first instance, broken the hair of both of them were tried together and they were forced to walk so that the families of Sikh witnessing them were terror-stricken and the killers could have fun in their killings. Many were put in the unheated Tandoors with their heads down and then – they were burnt after sprinkling kerosene on them. The dear one's were cut into pieces in front of the womenfolk, they were raped so that they should realize the consequences of their beings and called a Sikh. This process was done on 1st November, 1984, at a great speed generally dead bodies household goods, scooters, motorcycles and other vehicles were burnt – for taking revenge for the death of Indira Gandhi. But it has been noticed that on 2nd and till the evening of 3rd November, people from the neighbouring villages and local sweepers and chamars and greedy people in the guise of loot committed murders because they had become bold. The killers did not spare Keshedharies whether they were Congress men, Akalis, Nirankaris, etc. They advanced further after killing all of them. Bibi Gurjeet Kaur- BA, of Block C-2, Nand Nagri saw her husband S. Harjit Singh and father-in-law Giani Datar Singh being murdered. Later on, those killers blinded this Bibi and burnt her alive. No body in the Mohalla showed any grief. In this street there were only three families who were Sikhs and who had preached about Gurbani, Sikh literature and Sikh history among the Non-Punjabi speaking children.

SD/- GURDYAL SINGH

APPENDIX – I

Names of the persons involved in Murders, looting and insulting of Sikhs, and giving complete information etc. to the rioters.

1. Shyam Lal, A-3/23, Nand Nagri (Laundry wala) - He pointed out towards the houses of the Sikhs to the rioters, He even told them that youngsters of the Sikhs were still alive.

2. Jagdish Prasad, A-3/42, Nand Nagri (Leaves wala) - He and his elder son looted the houses of his Sikh neighbours and sent the looted property to Rajasthan and Moti Nagar in Delhi.

3. Dharam Das, A-3/62, Nand Nagri – out of the Sikh families many saw him killing the Sikhs.

4. Jamuna Devi, A-3/75, Nand Nagri – woman Congress workers. This woman not only pointed out towards the houses of the Sikhs to the rioters but also gave every information for disturbing the unity of Sikhs. Especially she was involved in the looting of the stores of Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha (Regd.) and had a hand in the conspiracy of large scale killings in first street of Block A-3.

5. Pershotam, A-3/76, Nand Nagri was seen helping his mother Jamuna Devi in every respect.

6. Rattan Lal, A-3/77, Nand Nagri – helped his mother Jamna Devi in every way and kept on searching the left out Sikh families till 2-11-1984 and was seen murdering them.

7. Prabhu, A-3/78, Nand Nagri – helped his mother Jamuna Devi and his brothers so that there was no sign of Sikh families in the street.

8. Ram Singh, A-3/83, Nand Nagri – He is a Purbia in the guise of a Sikh. He was constructing the walls of the temple adjoin the Gurdwara Singh Sabha by stealing bricks of the Gurdwara. This tenants did not leg behind in looting the houses of the Sikhs in the Mohalla.

9. Hoshiar Singh, A-3/86, Nand Nagri – was with the murderers.

10. Doctor Verma (D-2, Market, Nand Nagri) – Congress worker, he was known to the Sikh families, was seen leading the rioters. He also had a hand in disrupting the Sikhs unity.

11. Ramesh – Mistry, Block D-2, lives in the street opposite the Gurdwara, Usually does the work of a mason was known to the Sikh families. He is said to be the person involved in looting of utensils of the Gurdwara, looting houses of Sikh families and murder of the husband and son of Bibi Nanki of A-3/500, Nand Nagri.

12. Shyam Babu, D-2/240, Nand Nagri – owner of the fair price shop and his brother who resides in D-1, they looted the houses of the Sikhs.

13. Manak Lal Gupta – He lives behind house No. D-2/238, Nand Nagri. He has a hand in looting the houses of the Sikhs.

14. Amar Nath Chawla – Scooter Driver. He also lives in the street of Manak Lal Gupta. At his instigation, the rioters followed and killed the two Sikh brothers who were going to the Police Station for help.

15. Owner of Kissan Dairy – his shop is opposite H.S. School, Nand Nagri. A Congress worker – was seen looting and murdering the Sikh families.

16. Shera of Sambhali Village. He had a rifle with him. He disrupted the Sikh unity and was among the murderers.

17. Hari Milk seller of Mandoli Village. His shop is in A-1 Market, Nand Nagri – He brought many persons from his village who were involved in looting and murders of Sikhs.

18. Chottey Lal – Sweeper, Block C-3, Nand Nagri.- He is said to be the murderer of Sikh families residing in Block C-2. His other accomplices were from Block C-3.

19. Asa Nand Chopra – Oil Depot Holder, B-3 Market, Nand Nagri – He supplied kerosene to the murderers. His residence was in a street of B-5. With his help carnage of Sikhs took place in B-5.

20. Harbans Lal, A-3/342, Nand Nagri – Congress worker – He had a hand in the killing of S. Wasava Singh, S. Sardar Singh and Sachan Singh.

21. Ashwani Kumar, A-3/89, Nand Nagri – was among the rioters.

22. Vijay Kumar, A-3/88, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

23. Manmohan and Pawan Kumar, A-3/90, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

24. Bhagwan Singh, A-3/93, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

25. Kashori Lal, A-3/94, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

26. Hira Lal, A-3/97, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

27. Ram Prakash, A-3/98, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

28. Mawasi Ram, Jangi Ram, A-3/101, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

29. Khem Chand, A-3/102, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

30. Jagdish, A-3/103, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

31. Bansi Lal Khem Chand, A-3/104, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

32. Ranvir, a-3/105, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

33. Mahesh Kumar, A-3/106, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

34. Vinod Kumar, A-3/107, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

35. Hodal Singh, A-3/110, Nand Nagri – was among the rioters.

36. Rajinder Kumar, A-3/125, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

37. Shiv Charan, A-3/447, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

38. Ram Swaroop, A-3/56, Nand Nagri - was among the rioters.

39. Madan, Mahinder, A-1/247, 248, 249, Nand Nagri, is said to be the murderer of 18 men, women and children of A-1/310, 320, 321 in Nand Nagri.

40. Chattar Dairy owner – Ashok Nagar, Khada.

41. Pati Ram and his son- Ashok Nagar, Khada.

42. Rattan Broker, Ashok Nagar.

43. Bhardwaj policeman and broker of Jagatpuri.

44. Tiwari scoundrel, Jagatpuri.

45. Pandit Arjun and son Ravi, Mansarovar Park.

(40 – 45, they had a hand in murders and lootings in Ashok Nagar, Nathu Colony and Jagatpuri, Mandoli Road, Shahdara).

46. Ashok Kumar and his family – Chajju Colony. His 20 – 25 persons murders and raped the women and indulged in looting.

APPENDIX – II

Details of persons killed in riots.

Name of the deceased/ House No.;

1. Mangal Singh Block A-1/321, Nand Nagari

2. Gurmukh Singh

3. Tek Singh and his six guests

1. Jasbir Singh

2. Jasjit Singh

3. Tek Singh's wife

4. Darshan Singh

5. Ranjit Singh A-1/301, Nand Nagari

6. Bachan Kaur age 9 years A-1/320, Nand Nagari

7. Swaran Kaur

8. Amarjit Kaur age 4 years

9. Bobby, age 2 years

10. Gulab Singh A-3/6, Nand Nagari

11. Tarwinder Singh A-3/7, Nand Nagari

12. Than Singh Narang A-3/9, Nand Nagri

13. Than Singh's father-in-law

14. Son

15. Son

16. Narinder Singh A-3/10, Nand Nagri

17. Inder SinghA-3/13,14, Nand Nagri

18. Son

19. Son

20. Son

21. Baldev SinghA-3/34, Nand Nagri

22. Daljit Singh A-3/37, Nand Nagri

23. Ranjit Singh A-3/46, Nand Nagri

24. Narinder Singh A-3/53, Nand Nagri

25. Onkar Singh A-3/54, Nand Nagri

26. Haribhajan Singh A-3/57, Nand Nagri

27. Gurdeep Singh

28. Ranjit Singh A-3/64, Nand Nagri

29. Jaswant Singh A-3/65, Nand Nagri

30. Son- Jaspal Singh

31. Ishar SinghA-3/66, Nand Nagri

32. Joginder Singh A-3/67, Nand Nagri

33. Kamaljit Singh

34. Balbir Singh A-3/69, Nand Nagri

35. Amarjit SinghA-3/71, Nand Nagri

36. Trilochan Singh age 80 years.

37. Kamaldeep SinghA-3/72, Nand Nagri

38. Surinder Pal Singh

39. Ajit Singh A-3/74, Nand Nagri

40. Rawel Singh A-3/82, Nand Nagri

41. Joginder Singh A-3/500, Nand Nagri

42. Son – Gurdeep Singh

43. Tara SinghA-3/15, Nand Nagri

44. Son – Rajinder Singh

45. Wasawa Singh age 70 yr A-3/338, Nand Nagri

46. Son- Haribhajan Singh

47. Sardara Singh age 65 yr A-3/365, Nand Nagri

48. Balwant Singh A-3/70, Nand Nagri

49. Tajidner Singh A-3/100, Nand Nagri

50. Sarabjit Singh A-3/95, Nand Nagri

51. Harinam Singh A-4/269, Nand Nagri

52. Kartar Singh A-1/431, Nand Nagri

53. Pratap Singh's brother B-2/62, Nand Nagri

54. Gopal Singh B-2/255, Nand Nagri

55. Goorh Singh

56. Darshan Singh B-3/15, Nand Nagri

57. Kirpal Singh B-3/114, 115, Nand Nagri

58. Inderjit Singh B-3/117, Nand Nagri

59. Karnail SinghB-3/155, Nand Nagri

60. Mangal Singh B-3/156, Nand Nagri

61. Sahib Singh B-5/29, Nand Nagri

62. Sadhu Singh

63. Bittoo

64. Mangal Singh

65. Shanti Devi

66. Sham Singh B-5/32, Nand Nagri

67. Amarjit Kaur's brother B-5/96, Nand Nagri

68. Subheg Singh B-5/401, Nand Nagri

69. Sucha Singh B-5/406, Nand Nagri

70. Mahender Singh B-5/409, Nand Nagri

71. Piara Singh B-5/410, Nand Nagri

72. Manmohan Singh

73. Joginder Singh B-5/414, Nand Nagri

74. Veeran Devi

75. Joginder Singh (guest)

76. Sardoor Singh B-5/415, Nand Nagri

77. Ajit Singh B-5/417, Nand Nagri

78. Jit SinghB-5/419, Nand Nagri

79. Parkash Kaur

80. Dalip Singh

81. Rajinder Singh

82. Gian SinghB-5/420, Nand Nagri

83. Harvinder Singh B-5/421, Nand Nagri

84. Balbir Singh B-5/425, Nand Nagri

85. Jagir Singh B-5/433-434, Nand Nagri

86. Jaswant Singh B-5/435, Nand Nagri

87. Kanwaljit Singh

88. Mahinder SinghB-5/436, Nand Nagri

89. Prem Singh S/o Swaran Singh

90. Datar Singh age 70 yearsC-2/76-77, Nand Nagri

91. Harjit Singh

92. Gurjit Singh

93. Amir SinghC-2/54, Nand Nagri

94. Son

95. Prem Singh C-2/---, Nand Nagri

96. Wife

97. Son

98. Son-in-law

99. Daughter

100. Manjit Singh D-2/238, Nand Nagri

101. Madha SinghE-2/412, Nand Nagri

102. Kuljit Singh

103. Dilbagh Singh E-2/409, Nand Nagri

104. Saroop Singh E-1/125, Nand Nagri

105. Gurbachan Singh E-1/142, Nand Nagri

106. Kulwant Kaur

107. Sahib Singh E-2/479, Nand Nagri

108. Diwan Singh E-4/229, Nand Nagri

109. Kala SinghE-3/11, Nand Nagri

110. Mangal Singh F-1/1251, Nand Nagri

111. Kartar Singh's sonF-1/253, Nand Nagri

112. Boy

113. Dilbagh Singh F-1/254, Nand Nagri

114. Mohan SinghF-1/255, Nand Nagri

115. Jasbir Singh 1018, Janata Flats, Nand Nagri

116. Harcharan Singh 1142, Janata Flats, Nand Nagri

117. Dalbir Singh 1021, Janata Flats, Nand Nagri

118. Harminder Singh 996, Janata Flats, Nand Nagri

119. Kulbir Singh

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