§ 65. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any further information regarding the Hur disturbances in the Province of Sind; and whether, in view of the military importance of communications through this Province, adequate steps have been taken to guard the railways?
§ The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)Since the introduction of martial law on 1st June, considerable progress has been made towards bringing a very difficult and dangerous situation under control. Day and night running on the railways has been resumed, and special measures are in operation for the protection of trains, which have suffered no untoward incident since the derailment of a mail train in May. Military columns assisted by air reconnaissance have made extensive sweeps through affected areas and as a result many well-known Hur leaders and some 2,000 Hurs and dacoits have been arrested and brought to trial by special tribunals. A large number of weapons has been seized. The morale of peaceful inhabitants and of the subordinate administration has improved and the general atmosphere in the towns is better. With the arrest of their leaders, 1082 the Hurs are breaking up into small gangs and tending to move out of the present martial law areas, and fresh measures to deal with this situation are in hand. The States of Bahawalpur, Khairpur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, which border the affected area, have given full co-operation. The Armed Forces engaged, including States troops, have been operating in excessively difficult conditions of country and climate, but have suffered very few casualties. The situation is in hand, but much remains to be done before the civil administration can resume responsibility for the maintenance of law and order.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs not this rising merely the result of a long period of bad government in the Province of Sind?