§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If it is true that the conduct of the European soldiers at Barrackpur has been the subject of serious complaints by the Native population; whether a Petition has been presented to the commanding officer from the inhabitants of Barrackpur, stating that—
Unless some stringent measures are at once taken, the honour, the property, and, above all, the caste of the Native population are threatened with imminent danger;whether numerous allegations of assaults and insults to Native men and women are stated in support of the Petition; whether a letter has been addressed by the Native inhabitants of Barrackpur to the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, declaring that the Petitioners—Are the victims of the lawlessness of soldiers who have apparently set law and discipline at defiance;and, whether steps have been taken to establish an impartial investigation into the facts?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSSir, nothing beyond a newspaper report has reached the India Office on this subject. That report says that the circumstances alleged have been brought to the notice of the officer commanding the troops at Barrackpur. Doubtless, if that is the case, or if any representation is made to the Government of Bengal, the matter will be thoroughly investigated.