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45. Evidence of DEVI CHARAN BARUA,* Kayastha, Pleader, Jorhat.
1. I am a permanent resident of Assam, as a
pleader by profession. I come in contact with
numerous persons, and as Secretary to the Jorhat
Sarbajanik Sabha I am in touch with large
classes of people.
NOTE.—The answers of this witness from 2 to 70 are
exactly the same as those of Gangadhar Sorma (No. 42)
and are not reprinted.
* Invited to attend at a sitting of the Commission for oral examination but failed to appear.
46. Evidence of LAKSMIKANTA BARKAGATI, Brahma, Secretary to the Tezpur
Raiyats' Association, Tezpur, Darrang.
1. I am an inhabitant of this district. I had
ample opportunities of visiting different places of
this district, and frequently came in contact with
persons addicted to these narcotics.
2. Definition of bhang.—Hemp in wild state is
called bhang. Charas not in use here. Ganja
not prepared here. Ganja is sold herein three
different forms—flat, round and chur; but I can-
not say how they are prepared; they are always
imported from Bengal, the cultivation and prepara-
tion being prohibited by law.
Wild hemp known by the name of bhang.
Imported hemp, whether in detached leaves or
whether in round, flat or chur forms, are known by
the name of mohini-bhang or ganja in this district.
3. In almost every village in this district hemp
plant grows spontaneously.
4. Any hemp plant growing spontaneously is
called bhang.
5. In my opinion the plant grows on moist
soil.
6. The growth of the wild hemp is generally
dense.
7. No.
14. No.
19. Charas is not used in this district, perhaps
because it is not to be had here. Ganja is used
only for smoking by the Assamese, but up-
country men and tea garden coolies use ganja for
smoking and occasionally for drinking.
20. Doms (Assamese fishermen) and Haries,
garden coolies and up-country men specially are
addicted to ganja. Doms and Haries might be
40 per cent., up-country men 60 per cent., and
garden coolies 25 per cent. The percentages
are calculated on the males, as the females never
use ganja. In almost every village ganja is used.
21. Three forms of ganja are used here. Flat
and round forms are equally preferred; chur is
taken in the absence of the flat and round forms.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking here.
24. Natives of this district do not eat but
sometimes drink bhang.
25. The use of ganja is on the increase in this
district.
26 (a) 80 per cent. of the consumers.
(b) 15 per cent. of the consumers.
(c) 5 per cent. of the consumers.
(d) None.
27. The percentages given in answer to ques-
tion 26 have been calculated from all the classes
mentioned in answer to question No. 20, the pro-
portion being nearly equal in all these classes. In
my opinion ganja is smoked only for pleasure,
but when once addicted to it, becomes a habit.
28. Ganja is sold here at annas eight per tola.
The allowance of habitual moderate consumers is a
quarter of tola per diem, and the cost is two annas
per diem. The allowance of excessive consumers
is one tola per diem, and the cost is 8 annas per
diem.
29. (a) Ordinarily tobacco leaf is mixed with
ganja, (b) but in very rare occasions dhatura
seeds are mixed with ganja. Tobacco leaf is
mixed to sweeten; maki; and dhatura seeds are
mixed to increase the strength of ganja. I know
of no bhang massala in use in this district.
30. 95 per cent. of the consumers smoke ganja
in company. It is confined to the male sex, but
not to any time of life. It is practised from 16
years upwards.
31. The habit of smoking ganja is easily form-
ed. As far as my experience goes, the habit can
easily be shaken off, but the smokers are not will-
ing to break off. Yes, there is tendency to deve-
lop into the excessive, but here pecuniary difficul-
ties step in and put a check to the consumption.
32. I know of no such custom, but in Sivaratri
festivals ganja is mixed with sweetmeats in
minute quantity, which is essential. In the
absence of ganja wild bhang is sometimes mixed.
It is always very temperate. It is not likely to
lead to the formation of the habit, nor is it in any
way to any injurious.
33. The consumption of ganja is looked upon
with hatred. Ganja-smokers are generally treated
with contempt; they are believed to be untrust-
worthy. Ganja-smokers are not true to their
words; they are a source of annoyance to the
neighbours; they do not mind their works; these
are the reasons why they are generally hated.
34. I have no experience of my own.
35. If ganja is not imported, and if the culti-
vation is not allowed, then I think the Assamese
would give up smoking, and they would find no
way to consume illicitly. I do not think there will
be much discontent in case of prohibition, and there
is not the least fear of political danger. As use
of alcohol is looked upon with much greater con-
tempt here, and the persons addicted to it are
outcasted, it is not likely that in case of prohibi-
tion the smokers of ganja would have recourse to
alcoholic stimulants, but a few may take to opium.
36. By the natives of this district alcohol is not
substituted for ganja.
40. Wild bhang was used in the treatment of
cattle disease, but owing to the strict watch of
Government in respect of wild bhang, it cannot
be used even in such treatment.
42. Ganja-smoking is always injurious; it affects
the brain and temper.
4 H