HC Deb 11 August 1898 vol 64 cc917-8
SIR W. WEDDERRURN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that on the 27th of April last a proclamation was issued requiring the 6,000 inhabitants of Garshanker, on account of plague, to leave the town within 24 hours, and go to some place outside of the town to be indicated when fixed; whether it has been brought to his notice that in his evidence the native magistrate has stated that at this time huts to accommodate these people were not in existence; whether, before the 24 hours had expired, on the morning of the 28th, the police attempted to drive the people out of the town; whether a disturbance resulted, and the police fired upon the people without orders, killing nine of them; whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjaub, to the effect that the police continued to fire in spite of the efforts made by their officers to stop them; and whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider the question of an inquiry by an impartial authority?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

After a month spent, as I have already stated, in persuasion and warning, a proclamation was issued on the 27th April, requiring the inhabitants of Garshanker to evacuate the town, and giving them till the following day to comply. Next morning, accordingly, a force of 250 police was marched into the town, in order to arrange for the evacuation by persuasion, if possible, or, failing that, by force. The results I described in my answer to the honourable Member's Question on Tuesday last. The police, being violently assailed with brickbats and other missiles, which wounded many of them, fired without orders, and their officers were at first unable to check them, but soon suc- ceeded. The summing-up of the Lieutenant Governor was that— though some of the police, when attacked by the crowd (which consisted exclusively of men), committed the mistake of firing without orders, they showed no want of discipline in other respects, and worked well and loyally. As to the provision of huts, I have seen no evidence to the effect mentioned in the Question, but the inhabitants had been informed that all possible help would be given to them by the provision of huts and otherwise. I expect to receive further information on certain points, but at present I see no reason to change my opinion as to the suggestion of a special inquiry.