546
But in Siva Puja some few people use ganja. A
puja has, however, sprung up in recent years
among the lower classes of people, which is called
"Trinather Seva," in which ganja is said to be
essential. But it is a puja for which, so far as I
know, there is no Shastric injunction. This puja,
I am afraid, is likely to lead to the habit or prove
injurious.
33. The consumption of neither of these drugs
is regarded with favour by the public. The con-
sumers in consequence always observe secrecy in
using them. I am not aware of any public opi-
nion based on religion in favour of the practice.
I think that the use of all the forms of narcotic
is generally in disrepute owing to their injurious
effect, real or supposed. Nowhere in this district,
so far as I am aware, the hemp plant is worshipped
on any occasion by any section of the people.
34. The mendicant class and those of other
classes who have acquired a regular habit will, I
am afraid, consider it a serious privation to
forego the consumption of ganja. The reasons
are obvious. I am unable to give any idea of the
probable numbers of these classes.
35. It would not, I suppose, be feasible to
prohibit the use of all of these drugs. A total
prohibition would, I think, tend to provoke at-
tempts at illicit consumption. If ganja is allowed
to be used, the use of its other forms may be done
away with. Total prohibition will, at least in the
beginning, occasion great discontent among the
consumers; but I do not for a moment think that
it will amount to anything like a political danger.
It does not seem to me probable that the prohi-
bition of the use of the narcotic will be followed
by a recourse to alcoholic stimulants, but will,
I am afraid, lead to the use of other drugs.
36. No.
37. I cannot say. It is not used here.
38. No; so far as I know.
39. Ganja is only smoked here, and I am not
aware that it is drunk or eaten in any form.
40. The bhang, so far as I know, is prescribed
by kabirajes in cases of diarrhœa, I do not know
whether any of these drugs is used in the treat-
ment of cattle-disease.
41. (a) I do not know.
(b) It is said to do so.
(c) I do not know.
(d) I am not aware of.
The labouring classes are said to use ganja
to alleviate fatigue. I refer to moderate occa-
sional use of the drug. I am not able to give
any information as to the proportion of the
consumers.
43. Yes.
44. It is said to be refreshing. Ganja does
produce intoxication. I do not think ganja does
allay hunger. Bhang is to excite appetite. I
cannot say how long the effect lasts. Neither
can I say whether there are any after-effects.
Want of gratification is said to produce longing
or uneasiness.
45. (a) Not to any appreciable extent.
(b) It seems it does to a certain extent.
(c) Long use seems to injure the digestive
power.
(d) It does, it is said.
(e) I cannot say.
(f) Excessive use is said by some to produce
insanity. I cannot answer more than this.
46. See my answer to question No. 45.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. I cannot answer.
51. Bad characters do to a certain extent use
ganja I am told. Thieves are said to use it to
keep themselves warm and protect themselves
from the effects of exposure.
53. Sometimes it seems to do.
54. I might have heard one or two instances in
which excessive indulgence in ganja was set up
as a plea for committal of crime; but I cannot
recollect now any particular instances of it.
55. I cannot say.
56. I do not know.
57. I do not know that these are either eaten
or drunk.
58. I think it is working well.
62. No; I do not think it is necessary here.
Bhang is not cultivated in this district.
63. No.
64. No.
65. Bhang and charas are not in use here. In
my opinion the taxation of ganja is not up to
time unreasonable, with reference to alcoholic or
other intoxicants, so far as this district is con-
cerned.
66. Our supply comes from Bengal alone, and
there are different rates of taxation for the differ-
ent kinds of ganja brought therefrom, our rates
being fixed by the Commissioner of Excise, Assam,
with the approval of Government.
67. No.
68. No; not in this district.
69. Yes; when an application is received for a
new shop, the police are required to report when
necessary. No new shop can be opened without
previous sanction of the Excise Commissioner.
Yes; I think local public opinion ought to be
considered.
70. No such importation; but hill ganja is
sometimes smuggled from the Khasi and Jaintia
Hills and Hill Tippera. Care is taken for detec-
tion, and, when detected, offenders are punished.
14. Evidence of Mr. I. H. W. DALRYMPLE-CLARK, District Superintendent
of Police, Sibsagar.
1. Twenty years' service in India.
51. I do not think that any large proportion of
bad characters are habitual moderate consumers;
neither in my opinion has the moderate use any
connection whatever with crime in general or
with crime of any special character.
52. Ganja is the drug almost invariably used
by real bad characters, and is generally used by
such in excess when about to commit heinous
crime and crime with violence. Bad characters
habitually use it to excess in order to give them-
selves Dutch courage. The excessive use of ganja