§ 12. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House the latest information he has as to the position of affairs in India?
§ Mr. BENNI am circulating a statement giving an appreciation of the situation by the Government of India up to 28th June.
§ Following is the statement:
§ North-West Frontier Province.—(a) The tribal situation in general shows marked improvement and strong action which ended in dispersal of Utman Khel lashkar has had good effect on tribes in 1583 general. In Dir and Swat all continues normal. In other parts of the Malakand Agency responsible tribal elders are beginning to regain control over unruly element and are co-operating with political authorities in maintenance of order. On 23rd June, fourth attempt was made to persuade Haji of Turangzai by peaceful methods to withdraw his following from northern border Peshawar District, and air action was suspended. Jirga of Mohniand elders from British territory went out to discuss matters with him, taking with them Deputy Commissioner's reply to their petition to effect that Government was not interfering with religious affairs of Muslims, and that Abdul Chaffar Khan of Utmanzai was undergoing imprisonment because he had refused to give security.
§ On this occasion persuasions of jirga met with success. Haji's following has now completely dispersed and leaders have gone to their homes. Judging from past experience, however, of Haji, it would be unwise to assume that his activities are over. He is still in communication with Afridis and other tribes and would, no doubt, readily resume hostilities if he could get sufficient following. Owing to dissension among themselves Afridi jirga at Bagh on 20th June came to no conclusion with regard to future course of action. It is clear, however, that unruly hostile element is still strong. On 22nd June, gang of 60 Zakka Khel Afridis raided village of Akbarpura, 10 miles east of Peshawar, and other gangs are known to be moving about in Orakzai country. Small hostile section of Mullas is carrying on propaganda against Government, but efforts have not so far met with any real measure of success. Some agitation is for first time beginning to make itself felt on Kurram border. In Waziristan as result of air action taken against village of Sultana, lashkars which hostiles were endeavouring to assemble have broken up and the leading hostiles have left Mahsud country.
§ (b) Internal situation greatly improved and respect for law and order gradually being restored throughout Peshawar District. Small military column touring in Swabi Tahsil had friendly reception from many villages previously disaffected. Troops have been 1584 withdrawn from most villages in Charsadda area and inhabitants are co-operating in the restoration of order.
§ 2. The situation in other parts of India shows no great change. In Bombay City police on several occasions have had to disperse very large processions or demonstrations which have been attempted in deliberate defiance of orders under law, and this has given rise to considerable bitterness. In Surat there have been attempts to picket the local college and to prevent students from rejoining after vacation. More dacoities have been reported from Kaira District, in Gujerat, where the Civil Disobedience movement has encouraged spirit of lawlessness among those of criminal proclivities. In Madras there has been small clash in rural district between mob and police and Congress activities are reported to be vigorous in certain districts. Local Government have declared certain organisations as unlawful associations. Elsewhere in the province situation appears to have improved. There has been a little trouble in one or two villages in Punjab, but prompt preventive action has been taken. In this province also local government have declared as unlawful associations a number of Congress and revolutionary bodies.
§ 3. In last week's appreciation, mention was made of activities designed to seduce troops and police from their loyalty. These continue to be prosecuted with vigour and it appears that they are now given very prominent place in Congress programme. Another form which this movement takes is the holding of meetings and demonstrations in sympathy with and praise of the men of the Garhwali regiment who were found guilty of mutiny. In some provinces propaganda in rural areas is also on the increase, but results so far have not been serious and, except in Gujerat, no difficulty has been experienced in the collection of land revenues. The second volume of Statutory Commission's report has had unfavourable reception from practically all Indian quarters. Proposals are generally condemned as inadequate, but criticism of particular items varies considerably according to community to which critics belong.