Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎459r] (922/1028)

Condition of the Country.
Bandar <4 bbas .—Several thefts were reported to have occurred in the
town, five of which were committed in the houses of British Indian traders,
the aggregate value of the goods removed therefrom amounting to Krans
7,800. No part of the stolen property was afterwards recovered.
One murder was committed in the heart of the town and the Head
Cashier of the Customs wag arrested by the Police on suspicion. After pre
liminary investigations were made, he was sent to BUSHIRE for trial.
On the whole, the state of the district was fairly quiet and peaceful
and no military operations were undertaken.
In May, about 160 men with three machine guns under the command of
Yawar MAHMUD KHAN PARWIN embarked on the Gun Boat
“PAHLAVI” and two customs launches for HEN JAM to punish the
Shaikh for the attack made by his followers on the Customs House in March
1927 in which the Customs Mudir was killed.
On the approach of the Persian force, the Shaikh and his followers
escaped in sailing boats to KASAB on the opposite Arabian Coast. The
village at OLD HENJAM was occupied without any opposition, and a
detachment of troops under two Persian officers was posted on the island.
Liny ah .—In January, one murder was committed in the tpwn and
another was reported in June to have occurred in the neighbourhood. The
murderer in the latter case was arrested shortly afterwards with the assist
ance of the Shaikh of MUGHU, but succeeded in stabbing one of his escort
whilst being transported to LING AH.
Condition of the Roads .—Bashakardi tribesmen were again Active
during the first six months of the year on the TANG-I-ZINDAN route of
the KERMAN-BANDAR ABBAS road, during which they made four
attacks on caravans and succeeded in looting some merchandise being trans
ported from KERMAN. In one of their attacks the weekly post was
carried off but afterwards recovered. Later, they extended their activities
to the TANG-I-NOVERGOON route.
The outlaw IBRAHIM KHAN SHAMILI also made two attacks on
caravans from KERMAN passing through his district. He was arrested
subsequently but released on giving an undertaking to desist from inter
ference and to safeguard the passage of caravans through his territory.
Bandar A bhas-Minab Road .—This was open throughout the year and
was fairly safe. Only one petty case of looting was reported.
Road Construction .—Some progress was made during the year in re^
pairing the road from KERMAN to BANDAR ABBAS via the TANG-I-
ZAGH. It is expected that the road will be open for motor traffic bv the
NAU-ROZ {i.e., March 21, 1929).
Ling ah .—A project was under consideration for the construction of a
motor road between LINGAH and LAR via the SHIPKU Coast.
Slave Traffic■-Thiee slaves from Persian Baluchistan sought asylum
in this Consulate and were granted certificates of manumission.
Lingah .—The Consular Agent experienced a great deal of trouble with
the local'authorities who took no action whatever in regard to fugitive slaves
whom he handed over for the issue of manumission papers.
The cases of eight slaves having Persian masters and one remaining
from the preceding year were transmitted to the Deputy Governor but not
a single one was disposed of. The matter was reported to the Governor-
General of the Gulf Ports through the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at BUSHIRE, but the
instructions issued by His Excellency failed to elicit any result whatever.
Growing impatient at the delay experienced, six of the above absented
themselves from the Consular Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. having sought employment or return
ed to their former masters. The remaining three were still awaiting dis
posal at the end of the year.
71 F&PD