UNREST IN INDIA

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14241, 16 December 1919, Page 5

UNREST IN INDIA

RECENT RIOTS AT AMRITSAR. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. SOME SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. (United Service.) (Received Dec. 15, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 13. Evidence before the. Commission enquiring at Lahore is causing a sensation among the public. It appears that a general rising was threatened in the Punjab, recalling the Indian mutiny. General Dyer, commanding the Royalist troops, ordered indiscriminate shooting, with the result that 500 natives were killed and 1500 wounded. The Punjab outrages included the cutting of telegraph wires, burning three bank officials, the murder of a railway guard, burning the town hall and the public offices at Amritsar. .General Dyer, in his evidence, stated that when he found his orders were disobeyed he had to do something strong. He added: "I shot well and strongly, IGSO rounds lasting 10 minutes. The crowd defied the law, and no middle course was possible. So I fired until I ran out of ammunition."

Asked if his idea was to strike terror, General Dyer said: "I did not intend frightfulness, but had to give them a lesson, and I thought from the military point of view that shooting would make the widest impression in the Punjab. The Lieutenant-Governor wired approving of my action." Miss Sherwood, a missionary, whilst cycling had been beaten with shoes and sticks and left for dead. General Dyer said: "We look upon women as sacred. I therefore ordered the street to be picketed from six in the morning until eight.in the evening, and no Indian was allowed to pass in except by crawling on his f.ands and knees. He merely wanted o keep the place sacred."