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DELHI
MESSACRE
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
OCTOBER 31
09.40 Mrs. Indira Gandhi
assassinated
10.00 All senior defence
officers informed and apprehension of trouble
10.30 Meeting at PM’s
house where security discussed and suggestion for calling
out the army given. Among those present : Commissioner
Police, Lt. Governor of Delhi and M.L. Fotedar.
11.00 AIR announces PM’s
life
12.00 AIR announces PM in
hospital
13.30 Radio Australia
announces Mrs. Gandhi dead
14.00 Spotnews in front
of newspaper offices announces Mrs. Gandhi dead, Special
one page editions of dailies announce Mrs. Gandhi’s
assailants as two Sikhs and one clean shaven Sikh.
16.00 Violence starts
outside AIIMS. Unarmed persons beat up Sikhs and burn
their turbans in the presence of a large number of armed
forces.
18.00 AIR announces Mrs.
Gandhi dead, and soon after swearing in of Mrs. Rajiv
Gandhi as PM along with three cabinet ministers.
22.00 Violence and
burning in many perts of Delhi.
23.00 Senior MP phones
Home Minister and informs him of situation of Delhi. Home
Minister reportedly said that everything was under
control.
Sometime late at night
: A top level review of law and order situation by
PM’s Secretariat and Home Ministry.
In the day Army alerted
(around 14.00)
NOVEMBER 1
Violence, burning, killing
and looting in all parts of Delhi all day and night.
Mourners visit Teen Murti House all day.
Morning Mr. Shiv
Shanker, Mr. Narasimha Rao and Lt. Governor and President
contacted by many MPs and prominent citizens including
those with armed forces background report on the situation
in Delhi and the need to call out the army. Home Minister
informed that army will need clear cut instructions and
need for joint centre of operation to coordinate army and
civilian authorities. Killing starts in places like
Trilokpuri.
14.00 Army called out
14.30 Shiv Shanker in
contact with Gavai; Gaval informs that curfew being
considered.
16.00 Charan Singh meets
President to brief him about events and need for army
protection
18.00 Indefinite curfew
imposed
18.30 An M.P. contacts
Home Minister to inform of the situation in Delhi and that
troops were not around
20.00 PM informs leaders
of opposition that there are not enough troops in Delhi
Night Large scale
killings of Sikhs. Not one round fired by the army and no
flag marches.
Rumour that water supply
poisoned all over Delhi and rumour supported by many
police stations.
NOVEMBER 2
The body of PM lies in
state. Curfew and shoot at sight orders sight orders all
day. Looting and killing continues all day. All Delhi
bound trains cancelled. Mourners visit Teen Murti House
all day.
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08.30 |
A Senior MP phones
Home Minister regarding the danger to incoming
trains |
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10.15 |
A MP contcts Shiv
Shankar and asks that protection be given to trains.
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Note: No army
protection given and 43 train passengers reported
killed in Delhi (Times of India November 3, 1984)
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13.30 |
A M.P. contacts Shri
Shiv Shankar and informs him about the situation in
the city. Mr. Shiv Shankar tries to contact the Home
Minister, Lt. Governor, Krishnaswamy Rao Saheeb and
wali but none available. |
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Afternoon |
Fillings continue in
areas like Sultanpouri, Mangolpuri. Few peace
marches in the city. Gangs roaming certain areas
with iron rods and trishuls in presence of armed
forces. |
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Evening |
PM makes appeals for
peace and states that he cannot and will not allow
violence |
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Night |
Killings and violence
continue in some parts of the city. Some victims
collect at police thanas. Army did not fire a single
round or conduct flag marches all day.
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NOVEMBER 3
Curfew relaxed from 09.00
to 20.00. Sporadic violence around city all day.
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Morning
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Opposition parties
and Congress (I) MPs contacted by many citizens
about the extent of the problem and killings in
Delhi. |
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12.30
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Funeral procession
starts from Teen Murti |
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Afternoon
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Terror stricken
victims of violence collect in thanas and Gurudwaras
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16.00
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Funeral pyre lit at
Shanti Van |
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23.30
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Lt. Governor P. G.
Gavai proceeds on leave/ Mr. M.M.K. Wali appointed
Lt. Governer. |
NOVEMBER 4
Curfew continuos in city
Super Bazaar in West Pate
Nagar looted. Stabbing incidents in Shahdara, Badarpur and
Anand Parbat.
Cabinet expanded
Approximately 50,000 Sikhs
in relief camps.
Most of the relief
organised by voluntary agencies.
NOVEMBER 5
Curfew relaxed from 5.00 to
21.00
Exchange of fire in Chuna
Mandi
Two persons burnt alive in
Nathu Chowk
Conditions in most relief
camps still chaotic
NOVEMBER 6
Curfew relaxed from 05.00
to 21.00
Joint Secretaries put
incharge of camps. Civil Administration takes over from
the army the charge of running camps.
Relief schemes announced (but enough forms
not available with government on November 11, forms
printed privately by voluntary agencies)
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