8. Facts of Events

1.   Deployment of Army

• As reports of violence started coming in by noon of 28th February 2002, the state government after assessing the situation decided to call in the army and initiated a verbal request to army authorities at 1430 hours and the decision was announced by the Hon. CM in the press conference of 1630 hour on the same day.

• Immediately, thereafter a high level meeting took place in Delhi.

• In view of the deployment at the border, army formation at Ahmedabad was not locally available. On the request of the state government, the Central government issued orders for shifting 2 full Army Brigades to Ahmedabad on the same day’s evening.

• Chief Minister was in constant touch with Hon. Home Minister and Hon. Defence Minister. At 1 a.m. (Midnight) Defence Minister reached Ahmedabad and had a meeting with the Chief Minister.

• The deployment plan was finalized after a meeting was held at 0800 hours on 1st March 2002 of Hon. CM with Union Defence Minister and senior Army and state government officials.

• The process of airlifting continued throughout the night and by 8 am of 1/3/2002, one full army brigade had landed at Ahmedabad. Thus, the state government made quick assessment of the situation and the Army was called in from distant places in less than 16 hours.

• Executive magistrates were arranged to accompany the Army and the deployment began from 1100 hours to the hypersensitive areas of Vejapur, Meghaninagar, Asarva, Bapunagar, Shaherkotda, Khadia, Dariapur, Rakhial, Paldi, etc.

• The next brigade of the Army was also deployed on 01-03-2002 itself.
  
  2.   Steps by State Government

*   As soon as the seriousness of the Godhra incident became known, the state government has immediately issued alert messages on 27th February 2002 to all district magistrates, commissioners and district superintendents of police. The administration was directed to exercise vigil and deal with anti-social and communal minded elements firmly.

*   Another alert message was issued the same day directing that preventive action be taken and adequate police bandobast maintained.

*   As violence was reported on 28th February 2002, Commissioners and superintendent of police were directed in no uncertain terms to take effective action to disperse unruly mobs.

*   In fact, curfew was imposed in some affected parts of Ahmedabad on 28th February itself.
                                                                                                               

*   On 1st March 2002, which was Friday, the administration was alerted to keep peace and provide adequate bandobast to places of worship.

*   On the same day (01.03.2002), the police was instructed to implement riot control measures, enforce the curfew strictly, intensify patrolling and take all necessary measures.

     These actions should indicate that the state government has at all times passed clear instructions to the district administration to ensure law and order and maintain communal peace.

*   Further, Hon. CM and Hon. MOS (Home) have been constantly reviewing the situation and decided to first call in additional central para military forces on 27th February 2002 and thereafter the Army on 28th February 2002.

*   The State also requested for additional forces from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Two companies of Maharashtra reserve police force arrived and were deployed in Surat. Regrettably, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments indicated their inability to provide such co-operation.
 

3.   Police Action

*   The challenges before the police deployed to handle the situation were enormous as huge mobs (as much as 20000 reported by the police in Meghaninagar incident) were gathering in full fury at many places across the towns in the state.

*   Although the police had been deployed throughout the state to disperse unruly mobs, additional 66 companies of the SRP were deployed immediately on 27th February 2002 itself.

*   As the incidents of violence began being reported in other cities apart form Ahmedabad, reinforcements were called in, and 24 companies of Para military forces have now been deployed (as of 1600 hours of 04.03.02)

*   The police have had to resort to effective action to disperse mobs, firing over 3900 rounds and bursting over 6500 tear gas shells. In fact 90 persons have been killed in police firing (as of 0600 hours of 05.03.02)

*   Almost 3900 persons have been arrested in connection with the acts of violence and as a preventive measure.
 

4.   Happenings in Godhra

*   In the Sabarmati Express incident in Godhra on 27th February 2002, while the train left the station at 7.48 hours, and was halted at Signal falia about 500 meters away, it was attacked and certain coaches were set on fire. RPF fired four rounds and tried to disperse the unlawful assembly. Superintendent of Police reached the spot immediately, followed by the District Magistrate. Arrangements were made for relief and rescue by calling in the fire fighters, ambulance van and team of doctors, while injured persons were shifted to Godhra Civil Hospital. By 1230 hours other passengers were sent by train to Ahmedabad.

·         In the meantime, in view of the seriousness of the incident, curfew was imposed in Godhra city immediately.

·         The chronology of events based on initial reports of the district administration is attached.