I, Smt. Manjit Kaur W/o S. Surinderpal Singh, age 46 years, residing at A-24B Block-E, Shivangi Kunj, opposite BGI Block, Paschim Vihar swear the following:- 

I, the above named deponent do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:- 

1.                  That in November’84, we were living at House No. RZ-H 15, Mahavir Enclave, Palam Village, New Delhi-110045.

2.                  That I was working in Air Force Group Insurance Society where I am still working .

3.                   That on 1^st November’84, my husband went out to call a mason, but came back immediately and informed that a mob in the colony is attacking Sikhs.

4.                  That after sometime our neighbor came to our home and informed that Gurdwara Sahib had been burnt by the mob.  I immediately picked up my young children aged 6 years and 2 years and went to our neighbor’s house. Two other Sikhs were also there.  I could not pick up anything from our house. My father-in-law who was living next to our house also came to neighbor’s house.

5.                  That after some time our neighbor informed us that the mob has burnt two poultry farms belonging to Sikhs near our house.  Then we learnt that one Sikh near the temple had been killed.  We were also told that the mob had started attacking the houses of the Sikhs and also looting them.

6.                  That in the evening we heard announcement on the loud speaker that any Hindu or other person giving shelter to Sikh in his house, would also be burnt.  On hearing this threat our neighbor requested us to leave his house. Only   women and children could stay here.  Male members have to leave & may go to field.  When it became dark my husband, my father-in-law and other male Sikh members left the house.

7.                  After the departure of my husband, father-in-law and other Sikh male members I became very much scared and could not sleep whole night.  Some members of the mob came during the night and search the house for the Sikhs.  In the morning mob again came and told our neighbor that they were responsible for the escape of Sikhs.  So the Sikh women and children should also be sent out.  In spite of our repeated request our neighbor forced us to

leave  the house, as he was fearing attack on him and his family.  Myself along with my two infant children and the other Sikh women, wives of S. Joginder Singh and S. Pritam Singh left the house.

8.                  We came to the main road and went to Shivani Model School where one of my daughter was studying.  Principal and teachers were there and provided us with shelter.  When we were in the school we could hear the shout of the mob and the violence going on.  In the evening we saw an Army vehicle coming there. After repeated requests that I am working in the Air Force, the army personnel agreed to take all of us to Palam where a camp was established for the safety of Sikh personnel.  There were many other Sikh men, women and children staying in camp.  We had no clothes with us. Air Force authorities gave us blankets etc. as well as provided food.  We got the clothes etc. to wear from the various people/groups which came to distribute old clothes, blankets etc. in camp. As I had no proper clothes I could not attend the office for one month.  This absence from office was treated without pay.  We stayed in the camp for one month.

9.                  Everyday I used to ring my office to enquire if they have any news about my husband and father-in-law. On the 4^th November’84, when I rang up my office, Group Captain Moorthy informed me that my husband had given him a ring and he is alright and is staying at Fateh Nagar at his sister’s house.

10.              I requested Air Force authorities for a vehicle to bring my husband also to the Air Force camp.  On 6^th November’84, Air Force authorities arranged a vehicle to bring my husband.  I also went in the same vehicle.  I was surprised to see my husband as his hair was cut.

11.               On the way back to the camp we went to see our house.  It was completely burnt. All household items were burnt and destroyed.  It was very painful sight that the house which we built with  the entire saving and love and effort where I planned to live and bring up my family has been totally destroyed.  I lost my heart and could not muster courage to live in it again.  We sold the house at throw away price.

12.              My husband filed an F.I.R. with the police station. We suffered a loss of Rs. 70,500/-.  We were given compensation Rs. 20,000/- in two instalments of Rs. 10,000/- each.

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