Nanavati Panel to probe into Army’s role in ’84 riots

Nanavati Panel to probe into Army’s role in ’84 riots
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, NOV 20: Based on the affidavit of a retired Army officer posted in Delhi during the 1984 riots and the detailed account of a common man caught in the crossfire, the Nanavati Commission today directed the Ministry of Defence to make all related documents available for scrutiny.

From records of meetings held with the L-G of Delhi to war diaries and log books, the Commission has asked for a complete set of original records to look into allegations that the deployment of the Army was delayed.The application calling for relevant records was moved before the commission on behalf of the Nov’ 84 Carnage Justice Committee.

Attached to the application were the affidavits of two men, one who was part of the Army that was deployed to control the situation and the other who was trying to get his family to a safe place. In his affidavit, Brigadier (retd) Amarjit Singh Brar (V rC) gives a detailed account of what he witnessed in the Capital while he was posted as the Commandant of the Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centre.

Right in the beginning of his affidavit, Brar states: ‘‘I have all reasons to believe the killings of the Sikhs during this period was not abruptly due to the assassination of Prime Minister but it was under a well planned scheme.’’ Brar’s affidavit then goes on to describe in detail of how news about the riots in the city trickled in.The next part of his affidavit talks about the long wait for instructions from the HQ Delhi Area or Army headquarters.

‘‘On November 1, I kept pestering HQ Delhi Area for orders but none were received and distress calls continued,’’ the affidavit goes on to state.

Highlighting the delay in deploying the Army, Brar states: ‘‘ On November 4, 1984, two of my old friends Brig D D Madura and Brig Inder Luthra walked into my office...... I asked them why it had taken them so long to reach Delhi. They replied ‘do not ask us, ask the authorities for not allowing us to enter Delhi yesterday’. The revelation was surprising and agonising as well.’’Expressing his unhappiness over the delay in deployment and his inability to help more people, Brar adds he was ‘‘unceremoniously posted out after a one-year five-month tenure.’’ after allegations that he was involved in ‘‘anti-national activities’’.

Corroborating Brar’s affidavit is the story of Kuldip Singh Makhni, a resident of Safdarjung Enclave in Delhi. In his affidavit, Makhni also tells the story of an army officer who saved his life despite orders to the contrary.

Beginning his affidavit with a routine medical check-up at AIIMS, Makhni describes his encounter with both the police and the Army as he tried to avoid the mob and get his family to safety.

Recounting his conversation with Major J S Sandhu of the 15 Sikh LI, Makhani states: ‘‘Mr Malik of an Intelligence Agency who guided the violent mob to set our house on fire, also lied to Major Sandhu that nobody was inside the house. He further lied to Major Sandhu that he was looking after the security of the area and the Army was not needed.’’

Maj Sandhi apparently took premature retirement in 1991.

Based on these two accounts, the Commission has asked for details to look into the role of the Army during the riots.