§ MR. WEIRTo ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has received memorials from the people of the Cherra Native State, Assam, and from the ruling twelve clans of that State protesting against the action of the Government of India in overruling a decision of the late Chief Commissioner of Assam, Sir Henry Cotton, in regard to the appointment of a successor to the late Siem (Chief) U Hajon Manick, who died on the 24th May, 1901; and whether, seeing that Chundra Singh, the nearest relative of the late Siem, was always recognised during that chieftain's lifetime as the heir-apparent to the Siemship, and that the Khardarkar, or representatives of the twelve clans, on whom from time immemorial the election to a vacant Siemship has devolved, elected Chandra Singh by a majority of 8 to 4, will he explain why the decision of the late Chief Commissioner of Assam was reversed by the Government of India in favour of U Roba Singh, and will the question of succession be reconsidered.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) Memorials were received in 1902 from Chundra Singh, the rejected candidate for the Siemship of Cherra, and from representatives of the twelve clans who supported his claims. The Government of India, having regard to precedents and to all the circumstances of the case, were unable to approve the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner that the decision of the majority of the Durbar, referred to by the hon. Member, at which 236 only the twelve heads of the clans constituting the State were present, should be accepted, and ordered a popular election to be held, at which Roba Singh was chosen unanimously. The Government of India thereon confirmed Roba Singh as chief. The case has been very fully considered both by the Government of India and the Secretary of State in Council. I see no reason for reopening the question.