'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎57v] (119/470)

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On the future medical organisation, I am in no way competent to speak; but,
if I might venture a suggestion, it is that attached to the future Najaf Hospital
shall be a separate Sanitary Training School.
This is undoubtedly the main line of attack. The climate of Shamiyah is
excellent, and there is no reason why it should not become, if not a health resort, at
least an area which will compare very favourably with any in India.
But it must always be remembered that it is the most populated district in
‘Iraq, and that order and improved trade conditions are already attracting residents
from other districts. It is certain that the municipal population will enormously
increase in the next five years. 'Strenuous measures, therefore, on sanitary lines
will have to be taken, but there is no jfiace that will so quickly repay any efforts.
9. Police. —A full report of the Na,jaf Police by Sergt. Fear who, since June,
has been in charge, is added as an Appendix to this Report.
Drafts of 25 and 30 men from the Baghdad and Kut Police formed the nucleus
of the Najaf Police in February 1918, after the January riots, when they volunteered
for service here. They are all Persians or Kurds.
They arrived amongst a population almost openly hostile to Government in
a town where Police work is exceptionally difficult. Very shortly after their
arrival occurred the March riots, when two of their number were murdered and all
were in danger of losing their lives. The whole of their personal property was
looted. After the cessation of the blockade, Sergt. Fear was placed in charge of
them, and it is largely to his efforts that they owe their present efficiency.
They are specially trained as armed town Police, and are capable of putting
up a good show on parade and of moving as a company, in addition to the ordinary
work of patrol and Police duty. They are housed in the Bohra khan just inside
the Kufah Gate and facing the main square. The site is an ideal one for a Police
barracks, and is capable of accommodating 200 men. Only three months ago
in ruins (it was gutted by the Najafis in 1915), it has been^excellently repaired,
and is now one of the most imposing buildings in the town. The interior arrange
ments are good, and it is doubtful if any force in the country is in possession of
such fine quarters.
The strength is now 65, but this is by no means adequate for their arduous duties.
The presence of an efficient and numerous Police force in Najaf is of high importance.
The men must be outsiders, Persian or Kurds. The respectable element of the
town is Persian. The experience of the Police during the riots is sufficient to ensure
esprit de corps and loyalty in the future. It is hoped to run the internal Police
work of Kufah from the same force; 150 men at least will be necessary to meet all
requirements.
It is not out of place here to call attention to the question of criminal investiga
tion. Such work requires very special training and great experience, and the
administration of a country is impossible without some such machinery. In Najaf
and Kufah, Government is fortunate in possessing three Arab officers, ‘Abdul
Wahab, and ‘Abdul Hadi, and ‘Amanah, who have verv fair abilities and qualifications
for this type of work. They rank as Bimbashi, Yuzbashi, and Zabit of Shabanah,
but will be brought on to Police establishment next year.
The question of C.I.D. must also be faced.
The Police during the last six months have been borne for disciplinary purposes
on the lolls of the A.P.0., Shamiyah Shabanah. From the new year, however,
they form part of the Mesopotamian Police Force, specially officered and trained.
10. Shabanah.— The original Shamiyah Shabanah were, as in the case of the
rest of ‘Iraq, tribesmen providing their own arms and clothes, brought in by
Shaikhs who were friendly to Government. Theoretically thev guarded the
Political Officer, were capable of bringing offenders to justice, and of keeping order
m the district. Practically they drew pay, wore a brass badge, had no discipline,
knew no drill, and carried messages. In Shamiyah they were soon called upon to
show if they possessed any other qualifications, and the result was not inspiring.
Daring the riots they proved unreliable and useless, and those who were Najafis
deserted m a body to the insurgents.
In June, after the blockade, the situation was : a force of some 100 in Kufah,
mostly townsmen and fairly reliable, though not of much use; and of about 150 in
Abu Sukhair and the district, all tribesmen and exceptionally wild. None had
uni orm, an i. ic lac One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees leen no attempt at training as the training personnel was
not m existence. They were armed, if at all, with gas pipes.