Page 546 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

28 ANNUAL EEPOET OP THE PEESIAN GULF POLITICAL EE8IDKNOT

CHAPTER V.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR THE PERSIAN MEKRAN COAST
FOR THE YEAR 1917.
Mr. E. E. Gunter was in Political charge of the Mekran Coast throughout
the year.
PertonnoL *
The, arms imported into Persian Mekran during the year under review
Gnn-rnnnin,. numbered 91 rifles 8 revolvers and 6,060
rounds of ammunition. The majority of
the rifles were of old pattern. Ammunition is very difficult to procure.
Several Afghans have been reported to be in the country trying to purchase
arms but do not appear to be very successful. Only old fashioned muzzle,
loaders or others of an inferior typo seem to be available.
The condition of the country during the year has been on the whole
tranquil;
Peman BalachUUn.
Khalifah Khair Muhammad removed from Moganshaboo to Karkindar in
March and his entry into that part of the country was marked by interference
with the telegraph lines. A letter was received from him by Mr. F. Pinseoc,
Assistant Superintendent of the Jask Sub-Division, asking for an interview -with
a representative of Government. He came to Rapch with a small following and
informed the lineguards at that place that if a favourable reply was not
received he would murder them and destroy the lines. He was informed in
reply to his letter that before the question of his meeting a representative of
Government could be considered, Government wanted to know what security
he would give for his future good conduct. No reply was received to this letter
and Sardar Islam Khan then took the matter up and offered the Khalifah
Rs. 500 and a portion of land if he would return to Fanooch and abstain from
causing interference with the telegraph line. The untimely death of Islam
Khan prevented the arrangement being completed but Yahya Khan, the eldest
son of Islam Khan, has married the daughter of Khalifah Khair Muhammad
and it is to be hoped that the latter will not cause us further trouble. He is
reported to he at Fanooch.
In the month of February, at the request of Mir Islam Khan, Mir Barkat
left for Bint with a following said to number 500 to settle the differences
between Islam Khan and his brothers Sahib Khan and Nagdi Khan, arising
out of the death of Mirza Khan. They arrived at a partial settlement and the
ill-feeling between Islam and his brothers was for a time moderated. Mir
Barkat and Islam Khan then went with a large following to Gaih to settle the
differences between Hussain Khan and Islam Khan. Fighting took place
between Mir Hoti of. Lashar, who took the side of Hussain Khan and. Islam
Khan, and Mir Barkat .with several casualties on both sides.- Through the
intervention of Mir.Rustams Khan of Champ; peace, was. restored. Mir Barkat
and Islam Khan, returned to Bint on:27th! February»without a final settlement
having been arrived at.
In April, on refusing payment of the taxes by the people of Bir, Hussain
Khan confiscated 90 camels belonging to them. .Islam Khan despatched bw
son Ayub Khan to support the Bins, whereupon Hussain and 50 men retired
towards Charbar. after some fighting and took up position in an old fort at Te*
which was afterwards surrounded by Islam Khan's son with 200 men. As the
place is very near Charbar and there was likelihood of the latter becoming w®
scene of fighting if Hussain Khan took shelter there, a notice was given to
the combatants that we should prevent Hussain Khan bringing camels mt°
the village and the other party entering it and that if any British subjects
injured, the Officer Commanding the detachment would drive them out o*
Charbar and get a ship to shell them. Hussain Khan took refuge in Charbs
and wrote to Mudat Khan, his guardian, for reinforcements. Mir Na^8
Khan came to Charbar with a following and escorted Hussain Khan to Gam*