§ 4. Sir C. YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the annual police report of the provinces of Behar and Orissa and Bombay and Sind, published in the Indian Press of 18th January and 1st February, respectively, reporting the large increase of riots in Bihar, engendered by the non-co-operation movement and the reductions in the Sind district police to about 60 per cent. of its former total, and what steps are being taken to restore these police forces to their former state and to put a stop to the non-co-operation agitation that is causing all the trouble?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI have seen the reports referred to which relate to the year 1922. In Bihar and Orissa the conditions were largely due to the fact that the non-co-operation movement was at its zenith during several months. At the close of the year the strength of the police was only 16 less than the strength at the end of the preceding year. As regards Sind, the figure quoted in the question relates to one district only in Sind, the Upper Sind Frontier, and only to the police in the rural portion of that district. At its headquarters the force was increased by 25 per cent., and the reduction over the whole district was 12 per cent. only. Even after the reductions made in Sind, the proportion of police to population was considerably higher than in the rest of the Bombay Presidency. As regards present day conditions, I would refer to the last sentence in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member on the 18th instant.
§ Sir C. YATEDoes the hon. Gentleman consider that the non-co-operation movement is less now than it was then?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI suggest that it has changed its aspect very considerably during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. HOPE SIMPSONHas the reduction of the police in Sind been followed by an increase of criminal activity or not?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThere is no evidence to that effect.