HC Deb 08 February 1932 vol 261 cc463-5
19. Mr. G. MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information as to the occasions during the last six months on which, in dealing with manifestations of civil disobedience in India, the authorities have had recourse to firing; and if he will state the number killed or seriously injured on these occasions?

33. Mr. WALLHEAD

asked the Secretary of State for India how many deaths or fatal injuries have resulted in India recently from lathi blows, or rifle fire, or other action taken by the police; and whether any persons have died on the spot as a result of lathi blows?

Sir S.HOARE

I am circulating a statement of the cases reported to me up to the end of January in which Government forces were obliged to fire and of those in which there was loss of life.

Following statement:

Date, Place and Remarks.

26th December, 1931.—Takhal Payan, Peshawar District.—While making arrests the police, who were accompanied by detachments of the Frontier Constabulary and Army Troops, were stoned and charged by the crowd. To disperse the crowed 12 rounds were fired by the Frontier constabulary. One boy was slightly wounded.

26th December, 1931.—Kohat.—Four large parties of Red-shirts attempted to enter Kohat Cantonment. The first two were dispersed by police supported by troops without any firing. The second two parties combined together and to disperse them the troops were compelled to fire. Casualties are believed to have been seven killed and 38 injured.

1st January, 1932.—Allahabad.—Police fired three rounds of buckshot at long range to disperse a crowd threatening them while searching a Congress office. No casualties.

4th January, 1932.—Allahabad.—In the dispersion of an unlawful procession by police armed with polo sticks two men were crushed to death and a few others received minor injuries.

5th January, 1932.—Benares.—The police while endeavouring to disperse a crowd of 20,000 accompanying a procession which attempted to enter the Town Hall grounds were attacked with brickbats. After several men were hit and the District Magistrate was himself twice struck while parleying with the crowd firing was ordered. Fourteen rounds of buckshot were fired. Two persons were killed and a third died of wounds subsequently. There were also about 50 gunshot casualties of a mild nature.

16th January, 1932.—Gujrat, Peshawar District.—An escort of about 20 police in charge of six prisoners was attacked by a mob of villagers estimated at 500. The Thanadar was dragged from his horse and the police were forced to fire about 20 rounds. Casualties: one villager killed and one wounded.

Berhampore, Bengal.—Police were compelled to open fire on a mob. Casualties: one killed and two wounded.

Coimbatore District, Madras.—One man was killed during a lathi charge.

23rd-24th January, 1932.—Charsadda, North-West Frontier Province.—Special police surprised a secret congress meeting. Shots were exchanged and the meeting dispersed.

24th January, 1932.—Latakhola, Bengal.—Police compelled to open fire while dispersing a meeting of volunteers. No casualties.

26th January, 1932.—Bombay.—Hooligans lighted bonfires in the street at night, burnt one police chowki and stoned a. police station. Two rounds were fired by police. No casualties.

26th January, 1932.—Simaria, United Provinces.—Police prevented a congress procession from entering a cattle fair, arresting the leaders. Later a crowd estimated at 4,000 attempted to rescue the prisoners, threatening to kill the police and attacking the police camp with lathis, bricks and other missiles. Police fired 32 gun and four revolver shots. Casualties: three killed and 11 injured.

27th January, 1932.—Motihari, Bihar and Orissa.—Lathi charges having proved ineffective the police were compelled to fire on a hostile crowd attempting to occupy a Pandal and stoning them. Casualties: two riders killed and several wounded, two police seriously and many slightly injured.

29th January, 1932.—Bombay.—Following the dispersal of Frontier Day processions the police were repeatedly stoned by mobs parading the streets and attempting arson. Twelve rounds were fired, resulting in one rioter killed and 19 injured.

29th January, 1932.—Barbigha, Bihar and Orissa.—Attack on police resulted in the death of one police dafadar.

31st January, 1932.—Bombay.—Crowds attempted to light bonfires in the streets and stoned police and fire brigade officers. Four rounds were fired by police officers in self-defence.