§ As exaggerated and misleading accounts have been published of the recent rioting in Lahore, it is desirable to make known the actual facts so far as they have been ascertained by Government.
- 2. The first disorder occurred at about 9 p.m. on the evening of 3rd May, when some Sikhs are alleged to have attacked Mohammedans in neighbourhood of Haveli Kabuli Mull. Police were quickly on the spot in considerable strength and restored order. They found that eight persons had been injured, all of whom, with exception of a Hindu boy, were Mohammedans; of these three were dead and five, of whom one subsequently died, were wounded. Four Sikhs were arrested on the spot by the Police. Investigation into this affray is being personally conducted by a European Superintendent of Police specially detailed for duty.
- 3. On the forenoon of the 4th May, although great excitement prevailed in the City and a large number of shops were closed, only one instance of actual disorder took place; this occurred in Anarkali, when a party of Muslims was endeavouring to persuade shop-keepers to close their shops. A man, who is alleged to have had the appearance of a Muslim, suddenly attacked and stabbed five or six shop-keepers with a knife: this individual managed to evade arrest. In view of the grave state of tension in the city, and the possibility of disorder occurring during or after the funeral of victims, it was decided to take special precautions, including sending for troops and armoured cars. The first detachment of troops reached the city soon after midday.
- 4. On the afternoon of 4th May a very large procession followed the funerals of the victims of the rioting of the previous night. As the tail of the procession, which was accompanied by magistrates and police, passed a Hindu temple, some stones were
9 thrown at it, but no serious fracas occurred and no one appears to have been seriously injured. Some arrests of persons alleged to have thrown stones were made. - 5. On the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies, which were very largely attended (about 6 p.m.) adequate arrangements were made by troops and police to ensure that no disorder accompanied the return of large crowds from the burial ground to the city. The special precautions taken with this object worked effectively, and this stage, regarding which some anxiety had been felt, was not marked by any serious disorder. The crowds passed through the long Anarkali Bazar without excitement or disturbance, but, after they had reached the city and dispersed to their Mohallas, isolated cases of assaults on individuals began to be reported to the police from different quarters of the city.
- 6. Later in the evening two cases occurred of crowds assembling—one of these was at Lohari Gate and one at Mochi Gate: at both places magistrates were present. A threatening crowd at Lohari Gate was dispersed by a detaching of Hodson's Horse under the magistrate's orders. The other crowd was similarly dispersed on the arrival of a detachment of cavalry on the spot, but a few casualties had occurred before the cavalry arrived.
- 7. Isolated attacks on individuals continued to be reported to the police from various parts of the city up till about 11 p.m. on the 4th. Meanwhile, a careful system of patrols had been organised of all streets inside the walled city radiating from a common centre; this proved very effective and continued in operation throughout the night. The Colonel Commandant of Lahore Brigade Area personally supervised the disposition of troops in consultation with the civil authorities.
- 8. Orders were issued by the additional district magistrate, under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting a Muslim meeting which was announced to be held on the return of the funeral party from the burial ground. No meeting actually took place. Orders were subsequently issued prohibiting the carrying of Lathis, or the assembling of persons in bodies of more than four. Owing to rumours that arson on a large scale was contemplated during the night, the municipal and railway fire brigades were mobilised, and special orders were issued to magistrates, troops and police, making it clear that they were to open fire on any one attempting incendiarism or indulging in rioting, such firing being, of course, kept within the limits necessary to ensure control of the immediate situation. Seven incendiary fires actually occurred during the night, but all were extinguished by the fire brigade within a few minutes, except one in which a Hindu temple outside Bhati Gate was gutted in spite of strenuous work by the fire brigade.
- 9. The troops, who had had a hard day on 4th May, were reinforced by fresh troops early on the morning of 5th May, and an adequate force of cavalry, infantry and armoured cars is now in the city, capable
10 of dealing with any contingencies. In addition to the regular staff of magistrates, four special European magistrates have been placed on duty in the city. Police reserves are being called in from other centres. - 10. On the morning of 6th May, one case of assault on individuals was reported from the neighbourhood of Taxali Gate.
- 11. A marked feature of the disturbances up to present moment (Midday on 5th) has been that there have been no clashes of large bodies of men, but numerous assaults on individuals by single persons or small bodies. Such assaults have been scattered over a very wide area; they constitute a form of lawlessness most difficult to deal with, and may necessitate continuance for some days to come of a system of intensive patrols over the network of streets inside the city walls. A Curfew order is to be promulgated to-day, directing all persons residing within the city to be indoors by 8 p.m. The number of casualties, according to hospital returns hitherto ascertained, is 14 killed and 108 wounded; the number is fairly equally distributed among Mohammedans, Hindus and Sikhs