404
53. I believe on the affirmative.
54. I think they do.
55. I have experience of such cases.
56. I have not much knowledge on these mat-
ters, as referred in this question.
57. I know that ganja is smoked, and nothing
more.
58. I have not much knowledge about the
system of present excise administration, and conse-
quently unable to answer this question.
59. I have no answer to make.
60. Ganja is very little produced in our district,
so I have nothing to say as asked in this ques-
tion.
61. Charas is neither produced nor much known
in this district.
62. Bhang, as understood by this district
people, grows spontaneously in abundance, and I
think no method can be adopted that will come to
practical effect in the way of control.
63. I am not in a position to answer the ques-
tion which requires medical knowledge to be
properly answered.
64. I like that Government should adopt strict-
er regulations for the import and export of these
drugs than the present existing ones.
65. It is difficult for me to answer a question
like this.
66. I have no knowledge of the thing and can-
not pass any opinion.
67. I have no answer to make.
68. In our district there are ganja shops almost
in every town and mufassal market, where
generally ganja-smokers resort and smoke ganja;
and sometimes innocent people are tempted to use
ganja in these shops.
69. The wishes of the people are never consult-
ed or considered in opening a ganja shop in any
locality. The excise authorities give license to
the applicants to open these shops. The public
opinion must necessarily be considered and con-
sulted.
70. I have no knowledge about the matters
entered in this question, and no answer to make.
Appendix to the evidence of BABU JAGAT
KISHOR ACHARJEA CHAUDHURI.
Letter No. 460-A., dated Calcutta, the 6th March
1894, from T. INGLIS, Esq., Secretary to the
Board of Revenue, Lower Provinces, to the
Secretary to the Indian Hemp Drugs Com-
mission.
In continuation of the Board's endorsement
No. 2274-B., dated the 28th December 1893,
I am directed to state, for the information of the
Commission, that on receipt of the replies of
Babu Jagat Kishor Acharjea Chaudhuri to the
questions framed by the Indian Hemp Drugs Com-
mission, an enquiry was ordered regarding the
alleged cultivation of ganja in certain villages in
Mymensingh near the river Jamuna. The Collector
of Mymensingh reports that the Babu cannot speci-
fy the villages in question where ganja is said to be
cultivated, and that he is clearly laboring under
some misapprehension. A local Sub-Inspector of
Excise was deputed to interview the Babu
with a view to make the necessary enquiries on
the subject, and it appears from the report he
has submitted that Babu Jagat Kishor Acharjea
Chaudhuri was laboring under a delusion when
he sent in his answers to the Commission's
questions.
180. Evidence of BABU KAMALESWARI PERSAD, Zamindar, Monghyr.
1. I owe my information to hearsay. I have
also heard about these drugs from the persons who
consume them.
4. It has no different names as far as I know.
16. Bhang is generally prepared by people in
their houses.
17. By cultivator class.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smoking.
I do not know if they are put to any other uses.
20. Ganja is smoked by religious mendicants
and low class people, and charas mostly by
Muhammadans in almost every locality.
21. Flat ganja is preferred for smoking. All
these three kinds are used according to the means
of the consumers.
23. No.
24.
All classes of people and in almost every
locality, but specially in North-Western Provinces,
where one-half of the population eat or drink
bhang, and a few people only in Bengal.
25. The use of these drugs is on the decrease
on account of their being expensive.
29. Dhatura is not used. Bhang massala is
mixed with bhang. Its ingredients are black
pepper, aniseed, endive (kasni), seeds of cucumber,
and sugar.
30. These drugs are generally consumed in
company. The consumption is mainly confined to
the male sex, and is practised in young age.
Children do not consume them.
31. Yes; it is not difficult to break off if it is
not habitual. Yes; there is such tendency.
32. There is no social custom, except religious
custom, which is prevalent only among religious
mendicants in regard to the consumption of bhang
and ganja.
33. There seems to be a public opinion in regard
to the practice of bhang. The use of charas and
bhang produces bad effects. It is therefore that
these are held in disrepute. There is no custom
of worshipping hemp plant, but sometimes in
performing religious works, certain people make
offerings of ganja and bhang.
34. That class of consumers who have been
using the drugs from a long time, and who have
therefore formed a habit, will suffer a serious priva-
tion if they forege them.
35. No; if prohibition be enforced, the drugs
will be used illicitly. Prohibition will occasion
serious discontent among the consumers.
37 and 38. No.
40. Only bhang is used
medicinal
purposes.