§ 1. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information with regard to the recent disturbances at Jamalpur, in the North-West Provinces; what was the cause of the disturbance; whether strikers were fired on by the troops; if so, whether there were any casualties among the troops or among the strikers; and whether any form of inquiry will be held into the occurrence?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher, for the Secretary of State for India)The hon. and gallant Member no doubt refers to the recent disturbances at the Tata ironworks at Jamshedpur, in the Province of Bihar and Orissa, erroneously reported in the newspapers as having taken place at Jamalpur. The strike, which was declared towards the end of February, involved some 30,000 workers. Disturbances began on the 13th March, when determined and well-organised attempts were made by armed bodies of strikers to prevent those who wished to attend work. The factory was besieged and troops escorting a motor lorry bringing food to workers were attacked. The Deputy-Commissioner of the district was able to avert a collision, but picketing continued and no workmen were allowed to enter the works. On the morning of the 15th it was discovered that the railway lines had been tampered with, and the Deputy-Inspector-General of Police ordered two 1225 parties of mounted police to arrest the offenders, with instructions not to fire unless in self-defence. About forty arrests were made, but the prisoners were rescued and a large mob of strikers' then attacked the police, who were compelled to fire in self-defence. Mr. Ashby and several police were seriously injured, five of the crowd being killed and 21 wounded, The police fell back on the works and fired only when closely pressed. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment The situation then improved rapidly, and on the 17th 2,000 men had resumed work. An announcement by the directors seems to have had a favourable effect, and my latest information is that on the 18th 15,000 men had returned to work, the rest being expected to return on the 20th.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill there be any form of inquiry held into the occurrence as asked for in the last part of my question?
§ Mr. FISHERThe facts will certainly be investigated.