N. Francis Xavier
Part XXXVI (Continued from last week)
The Governor General in Council and other members sat around the huge table in Government House, Calcutta. They had before them a file. On it was stenciled in black capitals the legend “EXECUTIONS”.
The Governor General was the first to speak.
“Gentlemen, we’re here to discuss the fate of five people, whose death sentence has been sent to us for confirmation by Col. Tom Cadell. This is not an ordinary case of murderers being sentenced to death, thus getting rid of some unwanted elements of this society, over which we have been, by Divine will, made to rule.
“John, this will be off the record. So, don’t take it in the minutes book.
The writer who sat behind the Governor General nodded.
Governor General continued, “It has become our unwilling duty to cleanse the heathenish society of this vast country by imposing on them our own jurisprudence, to replace their medieval system of justice.
“We have been invested with immense powers of life and death over these multitudes, but we choose to exercise these powers judiciously, unlike the whimsical native princes who sentence their subjects to most horrible punishments like being trampled under the feet of elements or bitten by poisonous serpents. We have chosen the more humane system of hanging them by the neck till dead, knowing that death is instantaneous, preserving the dignity of the human body.
“However, we find that some of our officers use this power with some freedom which shows utter disregard to human life.
“We have earlier condemned the mass executions of convicts by Maj. J.P. Walker in 1858, for attempted escape. This was done without obtaining prior permission from the government.
“We now find that Tom Cadell is following the same trend. You may find, before you, a comparative statement showing the number of people hanged in the 79, during Gen Barwell’s tenure and the number hanged by Cadell till July 80.
The men turned their eyes towards the beautifully calligraphed sheets before them.
Under 1879 they saw the details of executions carried out by Lt. Gen. Barwell. There were only four.
In March 79 Barwell hanged Krishna Nair for the murder of convicts Eswaree Singh and Bhowanee Deen.
In April Bhaktawar was hanged for the attempt to murder of Sunder Koonch. In June Ratia was hanged for the murder of Jhingoo. Kullo was sentence to death for the murder of Chunga but got a reprieve.
In comparison Cadell’s list was longer. He hanged Tokha on the day took over as Chief Commissioner. In February he hanged two: Mahesh Gurrainand Nabu Bepari for unnatural offence and the murder of Tulsi Goalla. In March he hanged Pyaree for the attempt to murder of Dr. Gajendra Chandra Mitter, the 3rd Medical Officer. Ganpat Pano was hanged in April. May saw three people hanged. Toola was hanged for attempt to murder although the SMO certified that the blow was not likely to cause death. Munglee was hanged for murder an Bealalo @ Philip, the Great Andamanese was hanged for the murder of Reala. In June Chunga was hanged for the murder of Kulloo. July, the current month has already seen three hangings – Bhajja, Mulu Singh and Nanha.
“Gentlemen, you have seen the spurt in hangings in Port Blair during the past 6 months. Now we have another recommendation for the hanging of five men.
“None of them have committed murder. Some of them are serving sentences for dacoity and desertion. They are able bodied and served the settlement for many years in various capacities.
“The question is should we do away with their lives for a trivial offence like assault on a prison guard, without causing grievous injury during an attempted escape? At the same time what could be done to discourage the convict from resorting to the desperate attempt of escape?
“I want you to apply your minds to the case and come to a well-judged opinion which will be conveyed to Col. Cadell. The extracts from the convict rolls of the condemned men are also in the folders supplied to you.
Lord Ripon rang a bell on the table. A liveried servant appeared. He said “chai”. In a few minutes uniformed servants steaming tea and cakes while the members went through the documents.
Lord Ripon finished his tea and ran his fingers through his thick beard and cleared his throat – a signal that the men should speak.
The first member spoke. “Your Excellency, it is clear from the documents that none of the men were murderers, professional poisoners or thugs. They have not committed murder. Attempt to escape is very common among those sent to the Andamans. Most of them perish at sea or are killed by the natives. I feel death sentence is too harsh for a crime like this.
Another member spoke.
“But sir, we have seen escape after daring escape taking place from the Andamans. More than 150 men escaped during the past 5 years. Some of them have been recaptured though. This has encouraged more and more convicts to attempt escapes. Unless there is deterrent punishment this will become more frequent. I support Col. Cadell’s decision in asking for capital punishment.
“Your Excellency, the men are yet to be caught. I wonder why Col. Cadellis in such a hurry and wants to sentence them in absentia. I feel he wants to hang them as soon as they are recaptured so that they may not have time to appeal. This seems inhumane and unbecoming of an administrator. It would certainly tarnish our image as the benign rulers of this country. We must remember these matters reach London very soon and there are many MPs ready to catch us on the wrong foot there.
It was apparent that there was no unanimity of opinion among the members about Cadell’s decision.
The Governor General adjourned the meeting till further notice. ( To be continued….)
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