ABSTRACT
The riots, revolt or rebellion in the Punjab, depending upon the particular point of view, had been crushed. We may note, however, that the Hunter Committee found that the administration of martial law was ‘marred in particular instances by a misuse of power, by irregularities, and injudicious and irresponsible acts’ and it observed ‘it was not being administered in an enemy country but in a country where, on the restoration of normal conditions, it was advisable that martial law administration should leave behind as little feeling of bitterness and unfairness as possible’. The administration of martial law in the Central Punjab, particularly the acts of certain individuals, came in for severe criticism by a number of Indians, who made specific charges of undue severity and disregard of legal and moral principles. Sentences of whipping under the Martial Law Regulations were carried out in Lahore, Kasur, Chuharkam, Gujranwala, Gurat, Amritsar.
