EXPLOSIVE AND TENSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 280, 7 September 1946, Page 5

EXPLOSIVE AND TENSE

RIOT SITUATION IN BOMBAY ASSAULTS AND STABBINGS CONTINUE (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) BOMBAY, Sept. 6. The authorities regard the riot situation as tense and explosive, says Reuter’s correspondent. Police and military patrols have been intensified. Monsoon rainstorms have compelled most of the trou-ble-makers to stay indoors, but at least a dozen stabbing incidents and numerous lathi assaults were! reported to 11 a.m., though no serious disturbance. The workers in 24 textile mills in North Bombay absented themselves because of fear. 1

. It is officially announced that 11 were killed and 24 injured between *3 a.m. and 6 p.m. to-day. For the first time in six days the situation is easier, no cases of arson or looting having- been reported to G p.m., but the police opened fire twice and 74 were arrested.

Total casualties for the six days are 213 dead and, 634 injured. The police fired in north-eastern Bombay after a clash between two crowds. Two persons were injured. Reuter’s correspondent in Madras says 400 persons, some stated to be strike leaders, were arrested at Trichinopoly after the police fired on railway strikers. The strike is stated to be nearing its end. Increasing numbers of men are returning to work.