BRITISH ARMY (RECRUITMENT, GREENOCK). (Hansard, 20 February 1939)

§ Sir V. Warrender

Following is the answer:

Report on the Recent Riots in Cawnpore;

For considerable time past relations between Hindus and Moslems in the United Provinces and in Cawnpore particularly have been strained. On 7th February, a disturbance arose in connection with a Hindu marriage procession passing a mosque with music about the time of evening prayer. The procession was attacked and broken up and great excitement prevailed. The District Magistrate in agreement with views expressed by both sides passed an order prohibiting music before this mosque for two days, pending inquiry into custom and without prejudice to any right that might thereafter be proved.

2. On 8th February, a large number of Hindus shut their shops as a protest against 39W what they considered an interference with their rights. Moslems reiterated their claim that music had never been played in front of this mosque. Hindu shops remained closed on 9th February. On 10th February, District Magistrate passed orders that claim that music had never been allowed in front of this mosque had not been substantiated. Police reinforcements had been brought into Cawnpore and troops warned to stand by.

3. On the night of 11th February about eight, a riot between Hindus and Moslems broke out in a different area some distance from that in which the mosque is situated. The cause is still the subject of inquiry. The police and the District Magistrate were quickly on the spot but fighting between the two communities spread rapidly to many parts of the city. On 12th February disorders continued. Police had to open fire several times on the mobs during this day. Stray assaults and murders were also committed and incendiarism and looting occurred in various quarters. Six platoons of the South Staffordshire Regiment which had been mobilised as a precautionary measure on 11th February were posted on 12th February to certain strategic points in the city, each accompanied by at least one magistrate. They gave most valuable assistance and relieved the strain on the police. They were not called upon to fire. The general work of patrol, arrest, picketing, etc., was done by police in the usual course.

4. The evening of 12th February was fairly quiet. On the morning of 13th February there was another serious clash at one place but thereafter the situation has been growing steadily quieter, and on 15th February it was reported that it was rapidly returning to normal. The latest figures give the number of killed as 40 and of injured as about 200.

5. The outbreak was entirely communal but the hooligan element sought to take ad vantage of the situation. From the beginning a number of arrests were made, and in all 800 persons have been arrested. In addition to normal orders of prohibition of carrying of weapons and assembling of groups, which had been in force since 7th February, a number of orders were issued imposing curfew and other prohibitions which have had a very salutary effect. At the request of the Premier, the Press have co-operated in refraining from giving currency to provocative and alarmist reports and this has helped to allay panic in the city. It is reported that there is at present a rapid return to sanity and everywhere signs of restoration of normal conditions. Most of the mills are working and shops are opening.

6. Government were constantly in touch with local authorities since the disturbances started and the situation was brought under control speedily. The Commissioner of the Division and the Inspector-General of Police accompanied by a Deputy Inspector-General, proceeded to Cawnpore on 12th February. Already by nth February before the riot started, over 300 additional police had been drafted into Cawnpore in addition to the full 40W sanctioned strength and by 13th February about 750 extra police in all had been drafted in. Medicine and stores were sent immediately from Lucknow.