On May 14, 1947, the Viceroy assured Abul Kalam Azad that he would “give complete assurance at least on this one question.” He would see to it that there was no bloodshed and riot. “I am a soldier, not a civilian. Once partition is accepted in principle, I shall issue orders to see that there are no communal disturbances anywhere in the country.” He added that he would adopt the sternest measures to nip the trouble in the bud. “I shall not use even the armed police. I will order the Army to act, and I will use tanks and aeroplanes to suppress anybody who wants to make trouble.”

However, no such thing happened. Millions died. The British troops did not intervene. Even now, a feeling of guilt persists among some British researchers.

Link to article: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/british-army-could-have-prevented-partition-riots-450971/