§ 11. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House the latest information he has as to the conditions in India?
§ Mr. BENNI am circulating a statement of the Government of India's appreciation of the situation up to 26th July.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Appreciation of the situation by the Government of India up to 26th July, 1930.
§ 1. North-West Frontier Province.
§ In Waziristan situation continues to improve. Preliminary settlements with Shabi Khel and Kikarai have been successfully concluded, these sections having given security in rifles for good behaviour and liquidation of any fine Government may impose. Shabi Khel Khassadars are now performing full duties again. Jirgas of other sections except Nazar Khel, who are procrastinating, have also come in with a view to settlement and are depositing rifles as security. The Razmak Brigade, which moved out to Tauda China on 10th July, in order more closely to support Scouts and Khassadars, after some fighting in that neighbourhood with hostile gatherings, which it dispersed, advanced to Ladha on 23rd July. The march up Baddar Valley was carried out successfully with very little opposition, and presence of column in Ladha area is producing good effect in hastening submission of hostile sections already severely shaken by continuous air action. Baddar stream has been in spate, but M.T. Convoys have successfully negotiated route to Ladha. Certain minor sections still remaining recalcitrant may have to be dealt with by further ground and air action; but latest reports show that Nazar Khel Jirga is coming in with view to settlement.
§ Peshawar Border.—Alingar Fakir continues his activities in Utman Khel country, north of Swat River. Utman Khel of Barang have refused to join him; but some of the Mahmund tribe have done so; and he appears to contemplate crossing to south of Swat River again. Air action will be taken against any part of his lashkar which does attempt to cross the river. Cavalry regiment has been moved to Tangi and levy posts in neighbourhood of Kot Totai have been strengthened.
§ Afridi jirga at Bagh on Friday 18th July was unusually strong and fully representative of all sections except Aka 8 Khel, Kamarai and Shipah, who attended in small numbers. Contingent of about 600 Orakzais was also present. Results of Political Agent's interview with jirga on 13th July were reported at gathering, and it was resolved that raids should be organised against Government pending compliance with tribes' demands. It was also decided that parties of Afridis should start at once to tour in Orakzai country and establish Afridi-Orakzai unity. In pursuance of this decision contingents of Afridis left for Orakzai country next day, and have been moving about in Orakzai country, enlisting so called "volunteers" and proclaiming intention to hold mass Afridi-Orakzai jirga near Khanki Bazaar on 25th July. Efforts are being made to bring in the Shiah Orakzais also and the Massozai and Alisherzai of Kurram agency. Aeroplane reconnaissances over Bara and Mastura valleys have been heavily fired at on several occasions during the week.
§ Internal.—Conditions on the whole continue to improve and number of under-trial and convicted persons of Peshawar District connected with recent agitation who have been released on giving satisfactory undertakings for the future now exceeds 180. There are some signs however, of revival of agitation in Utmanzai and Turangzai villages of Charsadda Tahsil, and meetings are being held again. On 22nd July Taroba village in Nowshera Tahsil was visited by armed gang of Hassan Khel of Jafaker, dressed in khaki. They represented themselves as Frontier Constabulary and summoned two villagers outside the village, where they shot them dead. It is believed that this was done in prosecution of inter-village feud.
§ In Bannu City picketing of liquor shops by women continues, and restrictions on ingress of villagers are being maintained. Rural situation in Bannu district also is somewhat less satisfactory, and carrying of arms by audiences at meetings is becoming more common. District Magistrate, as a precaution is calling in all government and licensed rifles in Bannuchi area.
§ 2. In other parts of India there have been several clashes between the police and volunteers. These arose mainly out of picketing, but none were on a large scale. There has ben much activity in 9 several provinces in picketing of schools and colleges, and the object appears to be, not merely to prevent pupils and students from attending Government schools, but to obtain the boycott of all educational institutions with a view to obtaining more active recruits for the Civil Disobedience Movement. This form of activity varies much from place to place, and the success so far achieved has been limited. In Assam there have been several cases of schools being burnt down. The breach of Forest Laws has been removed in the Central Provinces and has begun in the Bombay Presidency.
§ The campaign against the payment of land revenue continues in Gujerat, but with this exception all local governments report that collections of land revenue and other Government dues are satisfactory. There is, however, apprehension in some provinces regarding the economic conditions created by the fall in the price of several agricultural staples. So far the monsoon has been favourable. Increased congress activity in the villages is reported by several provinces.
§ 3. The general position in the provinces may be summarised as follows:
§ There has been a definite decline in the movement in Bengal, Madras, Behar and Orissa, Assam and Delhi; but in Bengal student activity may give fresh encouragement. In the Punjab there has been a marked improvement during the past month; but the Sikh situation is still unstable. The United Provinces report greater activity in the villages, both in regard to meetings and propaganda parties. In the Bombay Presidency, Gujerat continues to show signs of some improvement. The position in Bombay City is little changed, and attempts are now being made to win over Labour. The movement has had very serious effects on trade and business and the industrial outlook is gloomy. The movement has gained force in the Central Provinces, where it was late in establishing itself on a firm basis, and the situation there has definitely deteriorated. Viewing situation as a whole, there are some indications of weariness, and counter-propaganda is producing definite results.
§ 4. The Viceroy's address to the Central Legislature on 9th July has been favour- 10 ably received in the Press and has undoubtedly strengthened Moderates in favour of constitutional methods. The economic evils of the Civil Disobedience Movement are attracting increased attention.