asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement about the use of troops against strikers in the oilfields of Assam; in particular, whether they opened fire on the strikers without previous warning; whether any civil officials were present when the firing took place; whether they gave advice or instructions; and whether the troops were asked for by the Provincial Government?

In answer to the first part of the question, no troops have been employed in connection with the strike at Digboi. The subsequent parts of the question do not, therefore, arise. A patrol of the Assam Rifles, however, was involved on 18th April in a shooting incident in which three persons were killed and five injured, apart from injuries to members of the patrol. The Assam Rifles are police, and their actions are within the responsibility for law and order of the Provincial Government.