1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Police Records

Police Station Delhi Cantonment

SHO: Inspector Rohtas Singh
ACP: D.P. Verma

Delhi Cant. Police Station has two Police Posts within its jurisdiction, namely PP Palam and PP Dhaula Kuan. This Police Station covers the south-west portion of South Delhi and includes Nangal Raya, Lajwanti Garden, Sagarpur, Palam Colony, Raj Nagar, Sadh Nagar, Raghu Nagar, Gopi Nath Bazar, Sadar Bazar, Mahabir Enclave, Vijay Enclave and a portion of Pankha Road.

Deaths

Large scale killings took place in this Police Station and according to the Citizens' Justice Committee, 427 persons were brutally murdered in the area covered by the Police Station Delhi Cantt.

The police kept on giving different versions of the number of deaths. On investigation, however, the Delhi Administration has verified 341 deaths in this area.

These figures would naturally be on the lower side because a large number of persons killed had been completely burnt and may not have been accounted for. In any case, 341 deaths in one Police Station can only be accounted for if the police was totally apathetic and inactive.

The fact that they had knowledge is clear from the messages in the various wireless log books of SHO Delhi Cant; ACP Delhi Cant.; as well as the District Control.

However, it seems that under pressure of the local leaders the police refused to act and discharge their duties in a non-partisan manner. If the version of the Sub Inspector Ramesh Singh Rana dated 14.3.85 is to be believed, and which will be discussed shortly, the major blame for all these killings and incidents remaining unchecked will fall on the shoulders of the DCP of this District viz., Chander Parkash.

Events

From the police records as well as the versions of the deponents, it appears that incidents of arson and looting started from the evening of 31st October, 1984. Pankha Road, Dabri, Raghu Nagar, Nangal Raya were all affected from the evening.

Major trouble started on 1.11.84 in Raj Nagar in the morning at about 9.00 am and then Lajwanti Garden, Janak Setu, Sagarpurand many other localities.

Incidents continued unabated and the last serious incident was on 4th November, 1984 at about 7.55 hrs. when 7 Sikhs were killed near Dabri Morh, Sagarpur. Later the houses in Palam Colony were set ablaze at 22.45 hrs. on the same day.

The area under the Police Post Palam was one of the worst affected during the riots. Apart from large scale brutal killings at least 272 houses, 14 shops, 2 Gurdwaras and 17 vehicles were set ablaze.

FIR's

Even though more than 340 people were killed and large scale arson and loot took place in this area, only 5 FIR's were registered. These are on the complaints of some individuals. A large number of deponents have stated that their complaints were not recorded or investigated properly.

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