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 attempt on 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 A IIMS. 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 Mr. Rajiv Gandhi as PM along with three cabinet ministers
22.00 Violence and burning in many parts of Delhi
23.00 Senior MP phones Home Minister and informs him of situation in Delhi. Home Minister reportedly said that everything was under control
Sometime A top level review of law and order situation of PM’s late at Secretariat and Home Ministry night
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 Shankar, 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; Gavai 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 MP contact 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 killing of Sikhs. Not one around 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 all day. Looting and killing
continues all day. All Delhi bound trains cancelled. Mourners visit Teen House all day.
08.30 A senior MP phones Home Minister regarding the danger to incoming trains 10.15 A MP contact Shiv Shankar and asks that protection be given to trains. NOTE: No army protection given and 43 train passenger reported killed in Delhi (Times of India November 3, 1984)
13.30 A MP contact 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 Saheb and Wall but none available
Afternoon Killings continue in areas like Sultanpuri, Mangolpuri. Few peace marches in the city. Gangs roaming certain areas with iron rods and trishuls in presence of armed forces.
Evening PM makes appeals for peace and states that he cannot and will not allow violence
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.
NOVEMBER 3
Curfew relaxed from 09.00 to 20.00. Sporadic violence around city all day.
Morning Opposition parties and Congress (I) MPs contacted by many citizens about the extent of the problem and killings in Delhi
12.30 Funeral procession starts from Teen Murti
Afternoon Terror stricken victims of violence collect in thanas and Gurudwaras 16.00 Funeral pyre lit at Shanti Van
23.30 Lt. Governor P.G. Gavai proceeds on leave. Mr. M.M.K. Wali appointed Lt. Governor
NOVEMBER 4
Curfew continues in city
Super Bazaar in West Patel Nagar looted Stabbing incidents in Shandara, 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 Cliuna 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 govenment on November 11, forms printed privately by voluntary agencies)
