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Civilian authorities were unwilling to deploy the army to restore order in the capital in aftermath of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Brigadier A S Brar, the then Commandant of the Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centre in Delhi told the Nanavati Commission on Monday.
Alleging there was laxity on part of the authorities to stem the violence that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, Brar said, "The GOC Delhi area was in touch with the civil authorities, but the cause of non-deployment was the unwillingness of the civilian authorities."
"The troops were not judiciously used where they were needed most," said Brar deposing as a witness before the Commission probing the events leading to the riots.
"I do not know whether this was because of the failure of the civilian authorities to bring to the notice of the GOC, the areas of major violence," he added.
"The troops were sent to areas where there was little violence," Brar submitted. He added, "They were not utilised where they were needed most."
Recalling that he was directed to disperse a mob, which had collected in the Sadar Bazar area on November 1, the retired army officer said the job was 'trivial'.
However, he said, Palam Village, where there were major incidents of violence was not brought to his notice.
Brar also said that while going to Janakpuri from Sadar Bazar, he 'observed civilians with lathis standing along with police personnel on both sides of the road'.
"I did not stop there as the police was present and this area was not assigned to me," he added.
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