§ 1. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Bombay mill strikers were fired on in January of this year; and how many casualties resulted among the Indian population?
§ The PRIME PRESIDENT of the BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)I am informed that before a settlement of the strike was reached the mob attacked a picket of military police accompanied by a magistrate, the magistrate and others of the party being struck by stones. On the crowd being ordered to disperse they displayed a defiant attitude; threats of firing had no effect on the mob, and the magistrate gave orders to disperse it by force. The sergeant and one private fired one round each, killing one rioter and seriously injuring another.
Subsequently, when, as the result of the Governor's mediation, concessions were made to the strikers and preparations made to start work at four or five mills, determined efforts to prevent this were made. At one mill large crowds stoned the military posts, forcibly entered the mill compound and stoned the cashier and two sepoys. A few rounds were fired, one mill hand being wounded in the thigh.
1654 The Governor of Bombay has brought to my notice the admirable conduct during these disturbances of the military and police, who were on duty continuously for nearly a month, and were constantly engaged in minor conflicts with the mob. I feel sure that the House will agree that Sir George Lloyd was justified in this opinion.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this conduct of the police and troops in Bombay is not a good example for the Punjab?