THE PUNJAB DISORDERS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3448, 30 March 1920, Page 6

THE PUNJAB DISORDERS.

REPRESSIVE MEASURES. CONDEMNED.

DELHI, March 20?

The Commission appointed by the Indian National Congress to inquire into the Punjab disorders last April has published a report, thus anticipa~ ting the Hunter inquiry. The report maintains that the Viceroy never took the trouble to examine into people ’s grievances, and proved himself incapable of holding his high ofiice, and demands his recall. The report denies the existence of a conspiracy for the overthrow of the British Government, and asserts that there _was no reasonable justification for the martial law, and that the measures taken were unnecessarily cruel and oppressive. The mob excesses were deeply to be regrettd, and are condemned. The Amritsar affair is described as a calculated piece of inhumanity towards utterly innocent and un-arm-ed men, including children, and unparalleled in its ferocity in modern British administration. The measures taken were such as to disgrace "any Government éhlling ilsolf civilised. The report asserts that nearly twelve hundred lives were ‘lost, and at least 3600 men wounded, some being permanently disabled, and that Sir Michael O’Dwyer 'invited:— violence from the people so that he could crush them. The report demands the repeal of the Rowlatt Act, and that Sir Miehael O‘Dwyer, General Dyer, Colonel .Tohnson_, and others be relieved of their duties.