HC Deb 25 October 1920 vol 133 cc1370-1W
Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for India when the revised rules for leave pay and unemployed pay for officers of the Indian Army will be issued?

Mr. MONTAGU

Revised rules have been approved and will be announced very shortly.

Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the reports of the. strong non-Brahmin dissatisfaction at the recent appointments of Brahmins to the posts of permanent collectors in Madras over the heads of non Brahmins who were senior to the former in the service; and whether there is any ground for this dissatisfaction?

Mr. MONTAGU

I have seen in the Press reports to this effect, but I have no reason to doubt that the officers selected for any of the posts in question were chosen as most suitable in all the circumstances.

Mr. LAWSON

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the reports appearing in the Press regarding recent troubles in certain tea estates in Assam to the effect that grave disturbances had broken out; that five Europeans were assaulted; that some managers were dragged from their bungalows and tortured into promising an increase of wages; that the Assam Rifles were called out to deal with the situation, and that, though rioting began on 22nd September, news of the disturbances was only allowed to reach Calcutta eleven days later; whether these disturbances have now ceased; what are the exact facts as reported by the Assam Government; the number of casualties, if any; the nature of the grievances of the labourers; whether these grievances have been redressed or are being dealt with, and what action, if any, the Government has taken in repressing the disturbances and to secure due consideration for the grievances of the labourers?

Mr. MONTAGU

I give the hon. Member all the facts in my possession, which are as follows: The coolies of eight tea gardens within a six-mile radius of Dum-Duma, in the Lakhimpur district of Assam, went on strike for higher wages. The movement, which seems to have involved some 10,000 persons, was carefully planned with a view to making an effective demonstration at one garden after another. The coolies looted the local market and Marwari shops, assaulted an assistant manager and garden officers, and damaged bungalows of the latter. Apparently the opportunity was seized on to molest members of the garden staffs who were personally unpopular, but no special animosity was indicated against Europeans as such or against the Government. Mr. Furze, a superintendent of police, went to the spot with a force of police, and he and some constables were assaulted while trying to restore order. A few platoons of the Assam Rifles (a military police force) were then despatched, and order was restored, no further disturbances having occurred since. The trouble was due to high prices combined, probably, with a reduction in the amount of the coolies' overtime earnings due to the slump in the tea market. Mr. Furze's injuries consisted of a fracture of the right ulna, an injury to the right knee, and two head wounds and bruises. Mr. Sang, the assistant manager of the Dhoedam garden, received severe head wounds and contusions. Two constables were also injured, but all the four persons assaulted are progressing favourably. As regards the last part of the question and also the allegation of suppression of information, I am awaiting reports from the Government of India, for which I have telegraphed.