540
6. Evidence of MR. R. S. GREENSHIELDS,* Deputy Commissioner, Lakhimpur.
51. In this neighbourhood the Assamese proper
are as a rule non-consumers of ganja. The ganja
consumers are generally foreigners, and as a rule
belong to the very lowest grades amongst such
foreigners, and, as might be expected from their
social position, they do furnish a considerable pro-
portion of the bad characters of the neighbour-
hood. I do not consider that the moderate use of
ganja exercises (more than any other intoxicant)
any direct influence on the production of crimes.
52. I have known crimes of violence to be com-
mitted on little or no provocation by persons
labouring under the peculiar delirium produced by
a long continued course of ganja In fact, people
in this condition are in my opinion particularly
dangerous, being extremely easily provoked to
commit crimes of violence.
53. See answer to preceding question. Yes,
most undoubtedly. Persons labouring under the
peculiar delirium produced by the excessive use
of ganja are particularly liable to commit man-
slaughter on little or no provocation. I have
known more than one such case.
54. As a rule, ganja is not used by the Assam-
ese for this purpose. Instances, however, have
from time to time occurred where ganja has been
used for this purpose by foreigners resident in
Assam.
55. I have heard of such cases, but have not actu-
ally had experience of any. Complete stupefaction
cannot be produced by ganja alone.
* Summoned to attend at a meeting of the Commission for oral examination, but unable to attend.
7. Evidence of MR. P. H. O'BRIEN, Deputy Commissioner, Sylhet.
51. I cannot answer.
52. I cannot answer.
53. I recollect a case of a murderous assault
being committed by a person under the influence
of ganja, but I cannot give particulars. I pre-
sume that excessive indulgence in these drugs does
incite to unpremeditated crime, inasmuch as they
appear to produce mania under such conditions.
54. I have heard of such a case, but never came
across one personally.
55. I cannot answer.
56. I know nothing about any admixture.
I
never came across the use of dhatura except as a
cattle poison in Tirhut.
8. Evidence of MR. J. L. HERALD, Deputy Commissioner, Silchar, Cachar.
1. I have had ten years' experience of district
work—five in Bengal and five in Assam (Surma
Valley).
I have asked the leading tea-planters in this
district (182 tea gardens employing about 200,000
people), and reproduce replies given by them on
various points. I have personally not studied the
effects of ganja to any extent, but these planters
notice its effect on their labour force.
2. Yes; (1) bhang; (2) charas, and (3) chipta,
gol, and chur.
3. In Sylhet, and Cachar.
7. No.
13. Prohibited in the province of Assam, I
believe.
14. No.
19. A drink is also prepared.
20. Almost all classes of Hindus contain in-
stances of ganja consumers, but it is generally used
to a large extent by lower castes and semi-
aboriginal castes.
33. All classes regard the ganja consumer as a
disgraceful character. The question "do you
smoke ganja?" is frequently asked in cases in
court with the object of casting discredit on the
witness.
34. I do not think that a gana consumer must
go on using ganja in the same way as an opium
consumer. I do not think the privation, if justifi-
able, would be serious.
35.(a) Quite feasible.
(b) Very little.
(c) By penalty for possession.
(d) Probably.
(e) No.
(f) Probably opium and alcohol, as people
must have some stimulant. The increased use
of either opium or alcohol would be worse on
society in general than the present use of ganja.
36. I do not think so.
37, 38, 39 and 40. Cannot say.
41. Some planters say it is used by some classes
for (b) and (c), especially those who work in wet
land and fishermen. Habitual use.
42. Garden doctors say that ganja users tend
to become habituals, and that they are peculiarly
liable to diseases of respiratory and circulatory
organs.
43. Inoffensive, but they are generally ashamed
of being known to use ganja and keep it as secret
as possible.
44. Dr. Powell, M.B., of Káline Tea Estate,
says:—
"I have had many cases of ganja intoxication
under my care. The most striking feature as