RIOTS IN CAWNPORE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 185, 5 August 1913, Page 5

RIOTS IN CAWNPORE.

DEMOLITION OF A MOSQUE.

VOLLEY FROM THE POLICE.

13 KILLED, 40 INJURED.

AN ENGINEERED PLAN.

(By Cable,—Tress Association.- Copyright.)

(Received 9.15 a.m.)

LONDON, August 4. The religious riot at Cawnpore on Saturday, during which thirteen were shot dead and forty injured, was tli° result of agitation by Moslems outside the city.

It arose over the demolition of a portion of a mosque to make room for street improvements, and the investigations of the authorities show that a carefully -engineered plan was evolved for playing on the fanaticism and ignorance of the people.

The original scheme involved the demolition of the temple, but, in response to a citizen's urgent prayer, only a small projection of the wall was" destroyed.

There was no excitement in Cawnpore until the agitators started the cry of sacrilege.

The agitators called a mass meeting at the Town Hall, yesterday, when the speakers denied the official"explanation that the portion of the building demolished was not sacred.

After tlie meeting, a Moslem procession, with black flags, marched to the mosque, and began to replace the demolished portion.

The police intervened, and the crowd stoned and pursued them to the police station.

'Mr Tyler, the district magistrate, with a band of armed police, appeared on the scene, and the crowd stoned them.

A volley of blank cartridge was fired, but the mob paid no heed. Then came a volley of ball cartridge. afterwards charged, and dispersed the rioters, of whom 13 were killed, and 40 wounded. Numerous arrests were made. One policeman was shot, and 40 injured.

Violent articles are appearing in the Moslem Press.

The Lieutenant-Governor of the United Provinces (Sir John Hewett) has gone to Cawnpore.

Religious animosity has been aroused throughout India and Burma by the alleged desecration.

There is also great excitement in Calcutta, where bands of Moslems, carrying flags, paraded the streets yesterday, demanding justice.