Answer “The firing was not excessive. The firing was most essential. Unless we opened fire I would not have been here to give evidence today. I had two alternatives before me, either to run away with my force or to allow myself to be overrun and killed."
35. The District Magistrate (witness No. 2) was also questioned in the same manner:—
Question No. 59 - “At about 3 p.m. what would be your estimate of the crowed that was collecting there round about the crossing?”
Answer-"The crowd was spread over-it must have been about 5,000".
Question No. 60-"Have you got any idea of the strength of Police force to deal with the situation there?
Answer-"The total strength of the Police force was 50-some of them were armed and some of them were with tear gas."
Question No. 61-"Please tell my Lord what steps you took?”
Answer-"We tried to dissuade the crowd from throwing brickbats but all that failed. Some policemen were manhandled by the crowd. Still we were trying to keep the crowd away from the gate by continued lathi charge whenever possible and in doing so the number of casualties on the side of the police, was mounting until the position became such that lathi charge was done but it did not have any effect on the crowd. It rather increased the casualties on our side. Use of tear gas also had no effect, and actually at one stage showers had become so intensive that the Police party had been collected and put near the shops in order to have some protection against the missiles and brickbats. That was all happening after 3 p.m. but even in this position the crowd won't stop. They advanced again on the spot where the police was posted and came within the striking distance and concentrated their shower of brickbats."
Question No. 62-"What did the Police do then?”
Answer-'Almost the cry was that the police party might be overwhelmed. All efforts to keep the mob away had been exhausted. Our attempt to keep a bit away from the crowd again became fruitless. We discussed the situation -Deputy Inspector-General, the Superintendent of Police and myself-and we were strongly of opinion that firing had to be opened; otherwise the police party would be overwhelmed. This was about quarter past three. We again decided that there must be a final attempt to disperse the crowd by determined lathi charge and we did so. Our men had advanced, the lathi charge failed because before we could come in contract with them we were almost littered with stones and the police party which was now posted on the road found itself in an awfully hopeless position. The crowd seeing this again converged and started brickbatting with increased severity. To meet the situation, in my opinion, there was no way left to disperse the crowd or to extricate the police force from being overwhelmed except by opening fire. The S. P. asked me for permission and I gave permission for opening fire.
Question No. 63-"Under whose command this firing was started?”
Answer-"The order was mine and the command was of the S. P."
