Page:A General Biography of Bengal Celebrities Vol 1.djvu/94

HIS EVIDENCE BEFORE THE INDIGO COMMISSION. 83 i with them, previous to their going 1 — Three in all, to the addea district only. The understanding was, that they should act iMukteara for the ryots who should pay them. Mr. Fergossoa) Did yon prepare or assist in preparing circular aices respecting Indigo, which were said to be distributed in the iages of the Nuddea district 1 — I know nothing of them, nor have 5 er seen them. - Mr. Sale.] Ton have stated that after the passing of the wnary Act, eome of the ryots asked yon how they could best ast the coercionary measures taken under it j did they wish to ow how they could resist the operation of the Act itself, or did sy desire to resist the coercionary measures taken under the color -a the Act 1 — The ryots wished to know how they could resist the oration of the Act generally. I could only advise them how to ast the fearful amount of oppression committed under cover of at Act, by officials as well as planters. What, kind of oppression do you refer to T — Imprisonment in ge num hers in low, filthy, narrow godowns, breaking int houses, rader of property, insult of women by officers of Poolice of rious grades, instigated by the planters. Ms. Fergusson.] Do you believe that .these things have been ne under Act XI of 1860 9—1 do, after having made enquiries •rery kind in my power as to the fact of imprisonment ; it has in judicially established that cases of the kind did occur; President] Are you aware that sinee the passing of the Act, • Government of Bengal has exercised close supervision over be- ad authorities in order to prevent injustice or oppression being rpetrated under its color t — For the fuse two or three after the ising of the Act, the supervision of the Government of Bengal b not such as to prevent the provisions of the Act being extensive- abused. Sinee then a closer supervision prevails, Babu 0. ML Chatterjee.] It baa been stated by Mr. Larmour &>re the Commission, that there has been a feeling of jealousy be- Ben the members of the British Indian Association and Indigo inters on account of some of the Members of the latter being vest- -twith the powers of Honorary Magistrate by the late lieutenant-