§ MR. R. T. REIDasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If the following paragraph from the Times of 2Cth March is correct:—
The report by Colonel Watson and Major Hancock on the recent massacre of Maiyas in Innaghur has been published. The Maiyas are acquitted of the charges of robbery and looting villages; and it is stated that the tax imposed on them was of a most oppressive character. The hill on which they took refuge is beyond the limits of Innaghur State, and was selected by them, for that reason, as a safe place during the proposed negotiations with the Durbar. The orders given to the soldiers are not forthcoming. A very suspicious circumstance which was proved is that the Maiyas did not begin the fight, and that, in fact, it was not a fight but a massacre. The number of the victims is 70. Their heads were sent in carts to Innaghur, but before their arrival there the British Resident interfered and caused them to be buried. Why he did not interfere sooner does not appear;1110 and, what steps the Government of India propose to take in the matter?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSSir, the subject has received the careful attention of the Government of India; but sufficient time has not yet elapsed for the receipt in this country of the Report which the Political Agent, Kalhiawar, was directed personally to conduct; and until it is received, I am unable to say what steps the Government of India propose to take. From the preliminary Reports at present received it appears that the facts connected with the attack itself, stated in The Times telegram, are substantially correct.