The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-01-03
WARRINe INDIAN.
TRIBE IMPRISONED
WITH LIVE WIRES
British Place Wall of Electric
ity Around Mohmands,

- , ~ ~ w ~ IN AZ " ~ II w -
FRONTIER PROVINCE, India, Jan
3.-The Mohmands, a nominally inde-
pendent and ever turbulent tribe whose
country borders on administered Brit
ish territory in this region. having
made themselves generally Objectionable
during the last few months have come
in for considerable attention at the
hands Of the British recently, The
latest phase of the punishment being
meted out occurred today, when thou
sands Of troops engaged in drive
which resulted in the rounding up for
internment OF 400 Mohmands who were
scattered in villages just inside the
provincial domains.
Always Troublesome.
The Mohmands have always been
among the most troublesome of the
tribesmen living in independent ter
rltory between the northwest frontier
province and Afghanistan. A year ago
they made raids and committed muir
ders in the Peshawa district, As
penalty for this they were forbidden to
enter the province to trade Angered
by this they began to threatey, war
and several fights actually did take
place,
Aeroplanes Imported.
At this time there were large num-
Der of Mohmands living in British ter
ritory. After the declaration OF hos
tilities by their brothers at home, most
of these government guests were sent
across the border Sir George Roos-
keppel chief commissioner for the
| Northwest frontier province then put
up along the Mohmand border a line
of barbed wire cntanglementS, inter
sected with strongly guarded block
houses. The government of India at
the same time imported number OF
aeroplanes. the first ever seen in this
part OF the world, and manned them
with experienced aviators from the
western thea,er OF the war
Barbed Wire Fence Cut.
For a time these new methods OF
warfare puzzled and worried the Moh-
mands and they kept to their hills but
recently they became more bold apd
under cover OF night succeeded in cut
ting the barbed wire at one OF two
places and committing small thefts.
Then it was that Sir George RooS-
Keppel played his trump card by or
dering the installation of live wire
which has been strung along the whole
Mohmand frontier. distance OF about
u miles. The fact that this wire carries
$500 volts and means instant death to
anyone touching il has become known
to the tribesmen and at present they
arc contenting themselves with holding
pow-wows and making threats.
The drive is said to be unique to this
section OF the world "Baramta' is the
name the natives give it. this being Hin
dustan for "reprisal" 1t was the privi
lege of a correspondent Of the Asso
ciated Press to ride with the troops
and witness this unique hunt, which
was for the purpose of rounding up all
Mohmands of fighting age who had
not previously been driven across the
border. The Baramta was divided into
two sections; one being in the narrow
angle formed by two branches OF the
kabul river and the other between one
of these branches and the barbed- wire
entanglements which forms junction
with. the river at the point where ii
divides. The rivers and the wire thus
made two V-shaped traps toward the
points OF which the drive was conduct
ed, nothing in its path being able to
escape, for the Mohmands could Meth
cr swim the river nor force their way
through the guarded barbed- wire. Sew
eral battalions of infantry and large
number OF Indian cavalry took part in
the hunt, which began about ten miles
below the apex OF the traps
Mohmands Herded Along.
The country across which the troops
had TO proceed is level. broken by hun
dreds Of irrigation bitches and great
fields OF growing sugar cane. In ad.
dition numerous villages lay in the
path and al these had to be invaded and
thoroughly searched. II was Gu
rious sight to see the scores OF Moh-
mands scurrying like rabbits for the
cover OF the cane fields and villages
ahead Of the advancing troops. Straight,
through the heavy barrier of cane with
its razor-like blades, went the Tom.
mics and laneers, emerging on the fur
ther side with their catch of Moh-
mands who were hcrded together un-
der guard and brought along in the
rear.
The villages were more difficult, for
here the hunted concealed themselves
in all manner OF queer places. But
one and all they were dug out of their
hiding places. For the most part tho
Mohmands gave no trouble beyond try.
ing to escape The 40O Mohmands
were broleht back to Peshawar from
which place they were to be sent to an
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