33. It will at this point be appropriate to quote the statements of the official witnesses with regard to the position of the police force at 3-20 and with regard to the necessity for firing on the crowd.
34. Mr. Idris was questioned with regard to the situation at the time when he opened fire as follows:—
Question No. 75- “Now to return to the determined lathi charge would you tell my Lord what was the effect of the lathi charge?”
Answer “The lathi charge failed completely. Instead of the crowd receding and stopping brickbatting they started advancing with more showers of brickbats, mainly from two directions" from the university playground corner and from the Medical College Hostel side."
Question No. 76-"What would be your estimate of the crowd, you say, advancing from these directions?”
Answer - Five to six thousand."
Question No. 77: -"What was the strength of the Police Force at that place at that time?
Answer “In all at that time there were 3 head constables, 30 constables of the armed branch, two head constables and 14 constables of the unarmed branch, and one head constable and 14 constables of the gas squad, one Inspector and two Sergeants."
Question No. 78- “When the crowd was advancing, you said that lathi charge had no effect. Would you tell my Lord what steps did you consider necessary at this time?”
Answer-The crowd was advancing with shower of brickbats and I had to come with armed forces and put them in position. When the situation came to such a pass that we were being almost encircled and overpowered, I consulted the D.M. and the D.I.G. who had all along been present there. We decided to open fire."
Question No. 79-"Could you tell my Lord how fire was opened by you and under whose command?”
Answer-Tiring was done under my command. I put my men in position and formed them in flanks of 5 men each facing the university ground corner and Medical College Hostel side. I ordered my men on both flanks to fire one round each. They did so. The crowd near the University playground, at the corner of the University playground-was held back and I found one man dropping down there, but the crowd from the Medical College Hostel side fell back momentarily and again advanced towards us with heavy showers of brickbats. I ordered the 5 men in the flank to fire a volley of rounds. Then I ordered them to stop as soon as I saw this mob falling back. I ordered cease fire and then checked up ammunitions and found that in all 27 rounds were fired."
Question No. 80 “Prior to the opening of the fire was any warning given to the crowd?”
