Integrity Score 240
No Records Found
No Records Found
Chapter 3 continues…
It appears that both Gilgit Scouts and local as well as non-local civil employees had taken an attitude of noncooperation with the Governor at the instigation of some British officers. To compound matters, all the controlled stores had been spent or distributed and not even an ounce of sugar or a yard of cloth was left in the stores. General Scott returned to Srinagar on 2 August 1947 with a promise to get some assistance.
For next three months, the Governor was a lame duck, he sent letters and telegrams to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary at Srinagar informing them about the state of affairs in Gilgit and surrounding areas.
However, palace intrigues at Srinagar ensured that these correspondences rarely fetched a reply and accordingly no tangible help came from Srinagar to cement Maharaja’s administration in Gilgit. Even General Scott’s attempts to highlight the situation in Gilgit fell on deaf ears. It seems as if the Maharaja’s administration was too preoccupied by internal intrigues and the problems in Punch and the valley to spare thoughts and resources for a far-flung region. Militarily, no attempts were made to significantly consolidate the Maharaja’s hold in Gilgit agency.
One company of 5th Kashmir Light Infantry commanded by Captain Durga Singh and located at Bunji, 34 miles short of Gilgit, was replaced by 6 Kashmir Light Infantry comprising of two companies of Sikh and Muslim troops and led by Lt. Col. Abdul Majeed Khan. Services of some British Officers had been retained by the State and consequently 500, strong Gilgit Scouts were being commanded by Major Brown, who was being assisted by Capt. Matheson, Captain Mohammad Sayeed and Lt. Haider of Kashmir Army. During this period, Muslim officers of the State had established contact with the officers of Gilgit Scout with the purpose of establishing Pakistan in Gilgit.
To be continued…