In Sultanpuri, Dhoban Kaur’s father and her five brothers were burned alive. Father, Ali Khan; brothers Rajan Singh, age 27; Bhajan Singh, age 30; Mulhtiyar Singh, age 25; Kaptain Singh, age 17; and Ram Singh. Their half-burnt bodies were put into gunny sacks and taken away in a tempo. Along with the mob were the local station house officer of police from Sultanpuri.1 Durjan’s husband, Dalip Singh, was also killed by locals equipped with trishuls. Five other Sikhs were killed in other houses: Sangat Singh, Pardeep Singh, Paltru Singh, Inder Singh, Prabhu Singh, and others. All the bodies were taken away by the police.2
In the local B-2 park, Jatan Kaur found herself in a meeting addressed by local MP, Sajjan Kumar, dressed in his white Pajama ‘Kurta’. She heard him say “The Sardars (Sikhs) have killed our Indira Gandhi, you should now kill, look and burn them”. In the evening, her husband, son and nephew were dragged out of her house and burnt to death.3 In Block B1, Hoshiar Singh was attacked as was his father, Ladha Singh. Both were thrown on a handcart and burnt to death.4
70-year-old Moti Singh witnessed from the roof of his house a Congress party meeting taking place at 8.30am on 1 November. The local MP, Sajjan Kumar began the meeting:
“Shri Sajjan Kumar said that whosoever kills the sons of the snakes, he would be rewarded because they have murdered our Prime Minister. He said that whosoever kills Sardar Roshan Singh and Bhag Singh would be given Rs.5,000/- each by him and those who kill other Sikhs, will be rewarded Rs.1,000/- per head. These rewards can be collected on 3rd Nov.`84 from my P.A., Jai Chand Jamadar. After that Nathu Pradhan and Congress worker, Bharti said that they would kill the Sardars. S.H.O. Bhatti, Hawaldar Jai Chand and some other policemen were also present there. This meeting lasted about one hour.” 5
Attacks on Sikhs followed and carried on for the next two days. Moti Singh’ son, Roshan Singh was finally caught by SHO Bhatti and shot dead with his revolver. Roshan Singh’s son, Jarnail Singh then came out of the house and was also killed. The local oil depot owner, Brahmanand Gupta brought along some kerosene oil in a bucket. Accompanied by his three brothers, they collected the dead bodies and set them alight. This was followed by the killing of Virsha Singh, Roshan Singh’s father-in-law, his wife Lalli and his son Pappu.6
On 1 November, Charan Singh and his wife, Padmi Kaur were preparing for the wedding of their daughter, Maina Kaur. The local police announced all Sikhs should stay in their houses and they will be safe there. But soon after, the mobs arrived and broke down the door. Maina Kaur was caught, stripped, her hands and feet were broken and was taken away. She returned after three days but would suffer mental health soon after. Her father, Charan Singh, brother Ashok Singh, neighbour Balinder Singh, brothers Inder Singh and Dalip Singh, nephew Bhajan Singh, brothers-in-law Prem Singh and Dharam Singh and his son, Anil Singh were subsequently attacked and one by one, burnt to death.7
The Gurdwara at F2 was set alight and attacks followed. Pehalwan Singh’s father, Sohan Singh, son Yogender Singh and son-in-law Swaroop Singh were beaten to death.8
Thirty-year-old Prem Kaur witnessed a meeting of 150 to 200 local people the park in B-2 at 8.45 on 1 November. There, she heard local MP, Sajjan Kumar, wearing a white kurta pyjama, delivering a speech where he said “Sardoro Ko Mar Do, Loot Lo, Jalla Do (Kill the Sikhs, rob and burn them)”. At 3pm, the local Gurdwara was set on fire as was the Nishan Sahib (the Sikh flag), in the presence of the local police. The attacks on Sikh homes then began. Her husband, Roshan Singh and two sons were killed, and she was stripped and raped. She was made to run naked on the road. Not one of her neighbours came to her aid, or even offer her clothing.9 Sangat Singh’s father, Sobha Singh was killed. His mother, Jatin Kaur, unable to run, was also burnt.10