290

34.  The habitual consumers would suffer the
most in case of giving up the consumption of
drugs.

The probable number might be estimated at
fifty thousand in this district.

35.  The prohibition of these drugs would not
be feasible in my opinion. It would lead to illicit
practices.

The prohibition can only be enforced by reduc-
ing the quantity consumed. The prohibition
must create serious discontent among the consum-
ers, but it will not amount to a political danger.
The prohibition might lead people to use dhatura,
sicigya, etc.

37 Charas and ganja have the same effects.
The former is stronger than latter.

38. Balucher (flat) is stronger than morra
(round), and morra is stronger than patharia
(chur).

41. The consumers believe that the moderate
use is beneficial and it creates digestive power,
but I do not agree with them. Fifty per cent.
of kahars, chamars use these drugs for purposes
mentioned in the question.

43. The moderate consumers have never proved
offensive to their neighbours to the best of my
experience and knowledge.

41. The immediate effect of these drugs on the
habitual consumers is that they get relieved of
anxieties and fatigues caused by hard labour.

47 and 48. The habitual use of these drugs has
never proved to be hereditary, and it does not
affect children of the consumer.

50. The excessive use produces injurious effects
rapidly.

51 and 52. No. The use of these drugs has no
connection with the crimes in general.

53.   No. I know no such case.

54.  No.

55.   No. Not to my knowledge.

56.  The admixtures make tasteful and remove
the defects. Dhatura is mixed for personal use
only in cases the consumer cannot afford to
purchase sufficient quantity owing to poverty.
Criminals only mix dhatura for administration to
others for purposes of depredation, etc.

57.  Ganja and charas are not eaten or drunk to
my knowledge.

58.   I think the present excise administration
is popular. My opinion is that illicit import of
drugs in this district from Native States cannot
be stopped, and any arrangements that can be
made to check illicit practices would be a great
improvement.

64. No complaint has ever been heard of.

68. My views are in favour of houses and shops
licensed for the sale of drugs. I had no oppor-
tunity of hearing any complaint in this district
with regard to location of such shops.

69. The wishes of people are very seldom con-
suited, and in my opinion it would be simply
drawing attention of the people to raise unueces-
sary objections by calling on public for their
opinion with regard to the location of excise
shops.

70. Kahars, kalals generally visit the Native
States on business, and they import illicit drugs
in small quantities for their personal use free of
tax.

216. Evidence of KAZI KARIM-UD-DIN, Cultivator, Mandha, District Hamirpur.

1. I, live in Mandha where there is a shop, and
have frequent opportunities of meeting the con-
sumers.

3. Know of none.

7. In the tahsil in which I live there is no cul-
tivation of the hemp, except for fibre and seeds,
which is general everywhere.

14. None.

18.   Ganja and bhang deteriorate by damp in
the rains, but with ordinary care can keep good
for five years. I know nothing about charas.

19.   I know nothing about charas. The answers
in this paper refer to ganja. Ganja is used only
for smoking.

20.  Chamars, khewats, kahars, kumhars, basers,
jogis, fakirs, and Thakurs smoke ganja. 200
people altogether in Maudha town and 700 people
in the tahsil.

21.  Only "chur" in this tahsil.

23.   Not in this district.

24.  Thakurs and Brahmins eat balls of bhang,
and other castes grind it up with water and drink
it. In this pargana there are 100 who eat it, and
400 who drink it.

25.   Use of ganja about the same.

26.  In this pargana—

(a)	of bhang 300 ; of ganja	225.
(b)	„ 125 „	250.
(c)	50	.25.
(d)	„ 25 „	none.

29.  With bhang are mixed salt and black pep-
per.

With ganja tobacco is mixed, not dhatura.

30.  Bhang and ganja are consumed in company.
Women and children do not consume it as a rule.

31.  It is easily formed and difficult to break off.
The habit grows on a man.

32.  There are no customs which necessitate the
consuming of the drugs.

33.  The use of these drugs is generally thought
bad.

34.  There would be no serious privation, for
consumers often do forego consumption for a few
days.

35.  It would be feasible to prohibit the use of
ganja by forbidding its import No serious dis-
content would be caused. It would not be
desirable to prohibit the use of bhang.

39.   Ganja is only smoked. It would be better
that people should eat bhang, which has no evil
effect on the brain.

40.  (a) Bhang is prescribed for fever sometimes ;
never ganja.

(b) Bhang is also used mixed with gur or
flour in cattle disease.

41.  (a) Bhang taken moderately is good for
digestion,

(b) and for staying-power;

(c) according to Hindu doctors as a febri-
fuge.

None. It is only occasionally so used.