'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎174r] (352/412)

17
The strengtli of his Command which is under the Kerman Army, and in
cludes Minab and Jask consisted of 200 Infantry, 20 Sowars mounted on horses
and camels, one machine gun and two small guns used for salutes.
The garrison of Bandar Abbas comprised 120 Infantry and ten Sowars.
Naib-Awwal Mirza Ali Khan Naseri who arrived from Kerman on 24th
November with reinforcements, assumed Command of the local garrison on the
departure for Minab on the lUth December of Naib Ali Asghar Khan in con
nection with military operations it was intended to take against Bahadur-es-
Sultan Mir Barakat Khan of Biyaban.
The health of the troops stationed at Bandar Abbas, of whom some thirty
nien have been recruited locally showed a decided improvement over the pre
vious year.
Naib-Awwal Khalil Khan, of the Medical Services, who arrived from
Kerman in October, 1923, was in medical charge throughout the year.
The troops present a far smarter turn out than formerly and are drilled
regularly.
Their conduct however, leaves much to be desired. Frequent complaints
'against the military for excesses committed in the town were received, but
Naib Ali Asghar Khan who is himself a dissolate and corrupt officer took no
steps to grant redress to the wretched inhabitants.
A serious incident occurred during the Mohurram procession on the 12th
August when some regulars forcibly entered the house of an Indian shopkeeper,
arrested him and another British subject, and maltreated both whilst being led
to the barracks.
The incident was provoked by certain of the townspeople observing two
Persian women of questionable character enter the house in question, and
making a report to a non-commissioned officer whose men were patrolling the
streets on the occasion.
The troops were paid very irregularly as their Officer Commanding, it was
an open secret, traded with the money received from Kerman for the disburse
ment of their salaries.
Naib Mirza Ali Khan, the present acting Commandant who comes from a
military stock has a smart appearance and is said to be a capable officer.
During the year under review there has been a growing tendency hitherto
lying dormant, on the part of the military to usurp civil power, a tendency from
which Naib Mirza Ali is not immune.
Minab. —The detachment stationed here was under the Command ofaNaib
Mahmood Khan who on relief by Naib : Sani (2nd-Lieut.) Mirza Hussain Khan
in November, proceeded to Kerman.
Thirty Infantry-men are ordinarily posted at Minab but owing to projected
operations against Mir Barakat, the strength of the force was increased by the
end of the year to 100 men with one machine gun.
J ash.—On the 6th March, 30 men in Command oi Naib Syed Ahmed Khan
arrived from Kerman and were despatched to garrison Jask.
Ling ah. —Yawar Ali Asghar Khan, who came from Bushire in September
1923 and established a regular garrison, handed over Command to Naib Munir
Huzoor in February, 1924.
The latter was recalled to Bushire in June owing to numerous complaints
against him for extortion preferred by the townsfolk.
Vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. Bashi Asghar Khan was left in charge of the detachment till he was
relieved on August 29th by Naib Abdulla Khan.
This officer was recalled in November for his bad handling of the case of
the S.S. " Monadnock " which will be referred to later.
Agha Amir Khan Sherwani succeeded, and was in command at the close of
the year.
The strength of the garrison was between fifty and sixty but it is expected
that this will be increased to 100 and barrack accommodation is oeing arranged
accordingly.
The men possess a smart military bearing, are efficient at drill but are badly
clothed. ,
Lc390FD ,