1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Affidavits

Affidavit submitted before the Misra Commission

I, Tejinder Singh S/o Avtar Singh, aged 37 years, r/o 29/481-482, Tirlokpuri, New Delhi, do hereby solemnly affirm and state as under: -

1. On 1-11-84 at about 10 – 11am, I came to know that the mob has attacked the Gurdwara in Block No.36 and has set that on fire. At that time, lot of smoke was seen coming from the Gurdwara and lot of noise was heard.

2. We were very scared. I also heard that 2 houses had also been set on fire, for which reason we became very apprehensive of our lives and goods. We also came to know that some Sikhs had been killed inside the Gurdwara and also that one of the Sikhs was beaten and in half-dead state was set on fire.

3. At about 11:30am, when the mob came in our direction, it was shouting slogans, "Indira your name will live forever. Kill the Sikhs. Sikhs are taitors. Avenge Blood with Blood. Burn the houses of the Sardars." When the mob advanced towards the Gurdwara in 32 Blocks, then some Sikhs tried to stop the mob. The mob started throwing bottles and some bomb-like objects after being lighted, which burst with a big bang. The mob was throwing bottles and bombs and also stones on the Sardars. From the other side only stones were being returned. Even then the mob could not pick up courage to advance further towards the Gurdwara in Sector-32.

4. My house is situated at the end of Block 32 from where I could see only the front portion of the mob but its rear was not visible from my house.

5. On 1-11-84, at about 4:00 PM some of the miscreants in the mob struck the front door of my house with sticks and bars. They were shouting loudly, "Sardaron Bahar Niklo (Come out you Sardars)." Hearing this I came out. Some persons were standing outside. Some one from the mob hit me with a lathi and removed my watch. Some of my neighbours also came out at that time and with their persuasion the mob went back.

6. On 1-11-84 this confrontation continued till after 3:00 PM when Hav. Rajbir reached the spot along with some policemen. I know Rajbir and I can identify him. Rajbir signalled to Sardars that they shold go back to their homes. He also fired a few rounds and this created a sense of fear in the minds of Sardars. The policemen insisted that the Sardars hand over their 'Kirpans' to them as they would protect them once they go to their houses which they did.

7. As soon as the Sardars went back to their houses the mob advanced and taking the Kirpans from the police, which police had snatched from the Sikhs, attacked the Sardars and about 4:00 PM the slaughter of the Sardars started.

8. If the police party had not helped the mob at that juncture, Sardars would have successfully resisted the mob and would have saved themselves from the mob.

9. From mid-night to 4:00am, on the morning of 2-11-84, the police removed truck loads of the dead bodies of Sikhs of Blocks 30 and 32. I had seen eight such truck loads being taken by the police.

10. This mob which came at mid-night, the persons were under the influence of liquor. Most of the persons had daggers in their hands. One of the miscreants was about to attack me with his dagger but I was saved by the intervention of one Muslim by the name of Nissar. The majority of the persons in the mob were locals.

11. I can identify some of the men who were in this mob and they were: -

i. Kamal – He lives in the Jhuggis and has no particular vocation.

He is a bad character and has been twice arrested for rioting;

ii. &

iii. Chhote and Sarwan – These are 3 brothers. It was Chhote who had tried to attack me with a dagger.

iv.Yahiya Khan – He is doctor in Block 27 who was heading the mob.

v. Duli Chand – He lives in 31 Block and is an employee of Delhi Corporation.

vi.Ram Pal Saroj – He is active Congress worker.

12. This mob continued with their nefarious activities throughout the night. They broke the shutters of the shops in Block 29. They would also go to other Blocks and if they could lay their hands on any scooter they will bring that to the chowk and set that on fire. During this period, I saw the police jeep pass through this area a number of times inciting the mob who would intensify their work of looting, arson and killing.

13. The police would also inform these miscreants of some Sardars who had concealed themselves in some houses in Block 32 and getting the tip from police the mob would go to 32 Block and come back after killing those Sardars.

14. Throughout 2-11-84 the mob continued to roam about carrying sticks and bars. At about 11 PM, one Muslim acquaintance of mine came to my house and warned me that it was no longer possible for them to protect me and I should look after myself. In a short while, the mob attacked my house once again and caught me. They were cutting my long hair when the police jeep suddenly appeared and the policemen shouted to the mob that they should run away from there as men of the CRP are entering the area. Hearing this, the miscreants took to their heels and thus my life was saved. A part of my house was being used for running a small shop. Some goods I had saved earlier and some were looted by the mob.

15. On 2-11-84, about half an hour or so after midnight, the CRP men arrived in the area. They arrested some men of the mob who were carrying daggers and swords. They also sent some trucks to carry the dead bodies and also to rescue some Sardars who were still alive and had concealed themselves in some places and sent them to relief camps.

16. At that time, the surviving Sikhs gathered near the 29 Block Chowk and CRP conveyed them in trucks to Vivek Vihar (Farash Bazar) Camp.

17. On 8-8-85, Police Hav. Rajbir who had been suspended came to my house. This was the last date on which affidavits had to be submitted to Enquiry Commission since the date for submission had not been extended by then. When he came to my house, I was not there and when I came back to my house at 11:00am, he was waiting for me. Besides, Hav. Rajbir, SHO Tyagi in his uniform was also waiting for me at my residence. SHO Tyagi asked me to sign a statement already typed on stamp paper.

18. During the riot days, the police had occupied one of my rooms where they used to take rest after duty hours. SHO Tyagi pressurized me to sign the statement or else they would not vacate my room. In addition, he threatened me with dire consequences if I did not sign the statement. Under duress I signed that statement and as soon as that was done, they vacated my room which is now occupied by me.

19. After another 2 – 3 days, Rajbir came to me again at about 8:00 PM and asked me to put my signatures on a green coloured paper which already bore 6 – 7 signatures. This again I signed under duress but I do not know the contents of the paper. Now, I can realize that the police had obtained my signatures on these documents under duress in connection with the riots and to favour Hav. Rajbir and other police personnel who participated in the riots.

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