TERROR IN INDIA

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 36, 6 November 1933, Page 9

TERROR IN INDIA

Action Demanded by Bengal ■ Loyalists MIDNAPORE OUTRAGES “While attending the funeral of the late Mr. Burge, many of us were shocked at the condition of the grave of Mr. Douglas, and we would ask the Government to take some action to remedy this state of affairs immediately, as it must affect the feelings of those who rule Midnapoije and also create a false impression in the minds of the enemies of Government.A comment by loyal residents of the MidDupore area of Bengal. The timidity and procrastination ot the Bengal Government ip dealing with terrorist activity at Midnapore, which has resulted in the successive murders of three British Magistrates (Mr. Douglas was one), is denounced in scathing terms by a group of Europeans in the Midnapore area (states the “Morning Post” of London). Excerpts from "An Open Letter” from this group were published by that journal. “We out here do not yet know what the home Press had to say about it (the murder of Mr. Burge on September 2 last) or what the feellug is at borne at the very real apathy with which the Government is dealing with this question, -as our Press has very obviously been muzzled lately and no comments from Home have yet filtered through, “From our point of view—and that is shared by the majority of rightthinking men in India—we feel that the Government has Jet us down time after time and is doing its level best to sell us as rapidly as it can. Local Officials Tied. “In the present instance everything possible was done before and immediately after Mr. Burge’s murder by the local officials to deal with the gang responsible for this outrage, but a lead from the Government was, as usual, conspicuous by its absence. The hands of the local officials appear to be so effectively tied that the murder of Mr. Burge, in spite of troops quartered in Midnapore. can only be construed by the terrorists as another victory. “Ten days after the murder, the Home Member of the Bengal Cwernment came down, not to deal with the situation at Midnapore, but to inquire into complaints against the police and military for alleged rough handling of the occupants during tpe search of the houses of only 25 suspects, four days after the murder. “Result, an atmosphere of despair in the minds of every loyal subject. “The attached note gives a precis of representations put before the Home Member by d deputation of residents as he pased through Khargpur (a railway settlement 7 miles from Midnapore) on his <vay to Midnapore. “Midnapore is an old settlement of approximately 30,000 inhabitants, predominantly Hindu, whose main industry is the Courts. It is estimated that 70 per cent, of these people are definitely in sympathy with the terrorist organisation. The town has a consistently bad record and within the last 27 months three European District Magistrates have beeri murdered there. Strain of Living. “The normal life of an official at Midnapore during the last three years has to be seen to be fully appreciated. A guard of two and twelve is permanently detailed to protect him, and he is attended by a personal bodyguard with loaded revolvers (he himself has orders to carry one) at all time; of the day and night, working, eating, playing or sleeping. “The windows are. barred and at night they are shuttered. It is unsafe for his bed to occupy the same position in the bouse on two consecutive nights. He is never out of earshot of the challenge of sentries. The strain of living and working under those conditions, especially for a married man with a family, can be better imagined than described. “What of the wives or relations living with them in Midnapore? “Need we say more? The opinions of the troops in Midnapore, including the Indian officers, N.C.O.’s and men are of considerable interest. " ‘We are Indians and Hindus,’ they say, ‘and we are of the opinion that to make Midnapore realise that this organised murder is to be wiped out. Government must do things which these people understand, and we suggest that the following action is necessary : “ ‘l. Double the flue Imposed on Midnapore and make use of the mopey for intelligence. Information can be bought if sufficient money is spent. “ ;ii. The carrying of unlicensed arms and ammunition can only be required for murder or attempted murder and should be met with a death penalty within two days. “ 'lit. Deportation for life of the family of everyone who has committed or planned a murder, and the confiscation of their property.’ “The troops know that, due to a state of emergency they were brought to Midnapore. They knew that two District Magistrates had been murdered and the graves iu the churchyard are evidence of this fact. They frequently saw Mr. Burge and met him ou the football ground. They understood they were here to support the Civil Power and particularly to help the police to demonstrate to the district that the Government bad the force available to show them, in a way that could not be misunderstood, that its wishes Mould be carried out. “In view of existing conditions we are of the opinion that anyone who supports a proposal to transfer greater powers of government to Indian politicians, and by these we mean Terrorists and the Congress who are the only body of Indians organised to make use of it. is assisting in the perpetration •of one of the greatest blunders in British history. “Its repercussion on the Empire and on a World slowly recovering from a long period of depression does not appear to have been realised by the British public." Riots and Strikes. The note referred to states: “Reasons why the deputation waited un the Home Member: “It is desired to know what the Government is going to du about the present state of affairs in Midnapore and the vicinity. We ask this question because Khargpur is definitely affected, i situated as it is between Midnapore and Hijli, by events in Midnapore and the Government action taken. “The population of Khargpur is about 35,000, of whom approximately 1000 afe Europeans and Anglo-Indians. The [tollcy of the Government is immediately reflected in the attitude of the railway staff to their supervisors. We have had a number of communal riots and strikes, more or less violent, and . there has been a definite Increase in j communistic talk iu Khargpur. ' “Officers and other supervisors have I

had implements thrown at them, liable to cause serious injury, and this has usually taken place when the staff appear to have considered that the Government were not prepared to take drastic action. “We consider, therefore, that a certain definite Hue of action should be taken against the town of Midnapore, to make the inhabitants realise that this state of affairs cannot continue.” The deputation proceeded to suggest punitive measures against Midnapore. and continued: “By those means the importance of Midnapore will be reduced, and the pockets of those who must be at the back of this terrorist, organisation will be considerably affected. “We would ask that every assistance be given to the Civil authorities, police, and military iu their endeavours to stamp out this organisation by rigorous searches from house to house immediately, and subsequently at regular intervals. “The suspects and their families and relatives to be removed to the Andamans or North-west frontier. “That the unauthorised carrying of arms should be made a capital offence. “We wish to record our appreciation of the work done by the Civil authorities, and police for several years, and also hr the military during the period of occupation, but we would suggest that the length of time the Government officers are posted at Midnapore should be curtailed, because we fee! that, seeing them from day to day. the strain imposed ou these willing servants of the Government and their families cannot be justified.”