C H A P T E R   -   1 3

A   F E W   N O T A B L E   I N S T A N C E S

While dealing with the cases of violence at the three places, it has to be remembered that in each of these places the non-Sikhs constituted the majority of the population and the attack was by the non-Sikhs on the Sikhs. There have been a few instances where the Sikhs being of a considerable number in certain pockets organised themselves in self-defence and were in a position to repel attacks of riotous mobs. The Commission has also come across such instances where though at the initial stages such self-defence arrangements had succeeded, later on better armed larger mobs overpowered them. The Commission, however, came across narrations of touching events where people of the non-Sikh communities readily came forward to extend protection even at considerable risk to themselves. There have been two instances where the protectors have suffered death in the process of extending protection. People in colonies surcharged by considerations of humanity and compassion pooled their resources together of manpower and arms and raised defence  units which successfully operated in keeping the mobs away throughout the riots.  There have also been instances where some policemen have exhibited a high sense of duty-oriented responsibility and not bothering about their personal safety came to the scenes of violence to extend the protection of law to the victims. Pitched against these are some instances of very low human behaviour. The Commission had to record the sorrowful tale of a young man at Bokaro. In the initial round a small crowd came near their house. The crowd posed to have friendly disposition towards the residents of the house. They were invited inside the house, entertained with tea and in return they assured protection to the family. A little later that mob, with a few others returned there, killed everyone  in the house  and  caused  grievous  injuries  to the deponent. There  have been  other  instances  like  a demand  of   money  assuring the  protection in return. Soon  after  the  money  had been  paid  the  killing  spree  started .  There have  been  several  colonies  in Delhi where no incident  at all  took place because  the people  of  the  colony  showed  solidarity  and under  local   leadership  showed  magnificent  conduct  backed  by  proper  strength. In his  affidavit (no.  169),  Shri  Avtar Singh, one of the Sikhs  residing in Block no.  20,  Kalyan puri,  has said  :

“3. That  the  Hindus  of 19 and  21  blocks did  not  allow  the  mob  to proceed  towards  our  block.  No  police  came to our  block.  We  remained  safe  because  of  the  help  of  block nos.  19  and  21  only.

5.  From  31-10-1984  we  Hindus  and Sikhs joined together  and  started  keeping  night-watch  and  due  to that  our block  remained safe.”

There are several affidavits  of  this  type  before  the Commission   and  detailed  reference is made to one of them  to indicate  the pattern.  The  episodes  during the  riots  were full of  exhibition  of human  behaviour  touching  divinity  on one side  as also  animal-like conduct  of the  most  base type  on the other.