§ 27. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on police action at the meeting in Nyasaland in January, 1961, at which Mr. Petro Chinkonde lost his life and a number of others were injured.
§ Mr. H. FraserYes, Sir. At a public meeting at Soche on 22nd January, a small party of police in charge of a recording van had to send for reinforcements to protect it from an unruly crowd. After nearly two hours of difficulty, the crowd of about 5,000 persons got out of control, throwing stones and attacking Press men and a television cameraman. A detachment of the police mobile force was called in and, after due warning, dispersed the crowd with tear smoke and a baton charge. Eleven persons were detained in hospital after the incident, one of whom, Mr. Petro Chinkonde, died later. Ten other persons were hurt, as well as six members of the police.
It is clear from the full report which was received from the Governor that the police acted with great calm and forbearance under considerable provocation.
§ Mr. ThomsonDoes the Minister appreciate how serious is this statement he has made, that there were a good many injuries and one person lost his life? Is he aware that it is denied by those who took part in the meeting that there was any stoning by the participants in the meeting? Would it not be better to make a more thorough investigation of the matter? Also, why was a recording van there in the first place?
§ Mr. FraserA police recording van was there as one of the conditions of the permit for the meeting to take place. As the hon. Member knows, there have in the past been accusations of sedition and so forth in Nyasaland, and it is part of the practice that at these large meetings there should be a recording van present. As regards his request for an inquiry, the Governor made a full administrative inquiry into the matter, and my right hon. Friend is convinced that the findings of that inquiry are correct.