Whereas practically every shop and business establishment in the
area under my command has been closed in accordance with the
_hartal_ or organized closure of business directed against his
Majesty's Government.
And whereas the continuance or resumption of such _hartal_ is
detrimental to the good order and governance of the said area.
And whereas I deem it expedient to cause the said _hartal_ to
entirely cease:
Now therefore by virtue of the powers vested in me by martial law
I make the following order, namely:--
By 10·00 hours (10 A.M.) tomorrow (Friday), the 18th day of April,
1919, every shop and business establishment (except only _langare_
referred to in martial law notice No. 5, dated 15th April, 1919)
in the area under my command, shall open and carry on its business
_and thereafter daily shall continue to keep open and carry on its
business_ during the usual hours up to 20·00 hours (8 P.M.) in
exactly the same manner as before the creation of the said
_hartal_.
And likewise I order that every skilled or other worker will from
10·30 hours (10.30 A.M.) tomorrow, resume and continue during the
usual hours his ordinary trade, work or calling.
And I warn all concerned that if at 10·00 hours (10 A.M.)
tomorrow, or at any subsequent time I find this order has been
without good and valid reason disobeyed, the persons concerned
will be arrested and tried under the summary procedure of martial
law, and shops so closed will be opened and kept open by force,
any resultant loss arising from such forcible opening will rest on
the owners and on occupiers concerned.
And I further warn all concerned that this order must be strictly
obeyed in spirit as well as in letter, that is to say, that to
open a shop and then refuse to sell goods and to charge an
exorbitant or prohibitive rate, will be deemed a contravention of
this order.
[Note: Shops had evidently remained closed for seven days.]