INDIAN UNREST.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17320, 5 December 1921, Page 7

INDIAN UNREST.

STAMPING OUT MOPLAH REVOLT. THE TRAIN TRAGEDY ENQUIRY. (By Cable—Press Assoc intion—-Copyright.) (Ranter's Telegrams.) DELHI December 2. It is officially reported that the troops have made excellent progress in the Ivottakkal, Manaarghat. and Calicut areas. The enemy have broken up, and many surrenders nro reported. Half the trouble is now being caused bv local criminals.

A small detachment of Glmrkns killed four rebels and wounded three, while the police captured thirteen at Tr.nur. The large rebel concentration which was rumoured lately has not materialised. The rebels have fled to the hills or passed over the line. Spasmodic murders and looting do not affect the main issue, but are causing alarm and are preventing the restoration of public confidence. It was officially stated to-day that special police had killed twontv rebels.

Tho Suffolk Regiment is establishing signal stations. The rebels are moving from east to west, their reported object being to sny prayers at Tanururajn prior to making a final stand. Confirmation of this report is awaited. Further evidence regarding tihe Tirur train tragedy revealed gruesome and somewhat conflicting details. Parakkal Ismail, ono of the prisoners, examined by the enquiry committee, said the prisonors were fed and given plenty of water at Tirur. The van was very crowded and t-ho prison crs wore unable to sit properly. The first time the train stopped all asked for water, but received no answer. Tho nest time the prisoners called Q ut that many were fainting and would die, and it would be enough if the doors were opened. Witness fainted soon after, and remembered nothing more till ho was called to attention at Coimbatoro.

Witness said tho prisoners were sweating profusely, nnd could not breathe. Some wore so thirsty that tlie.y drank the perspiration, squeezing it from their clothes. Some unsuccessfully, tried to remove the gauze from the openings, in the sides of the van. All were obliged to stand, and thay soon bogan to fall doivn. Tlirv then lay on top of each other. They did fight one another. A convict declared that on one occasion a voice outside told the prisoners that if they persisted in colling out tli.ey would be shot. A third prisoner deposed that the van was not very crowded, but there was no air. He tried to get. air by putting his mouth near the opening at tho bottom of the door.

Other evidence related how a prisoner sat with his dying father's head in his lap, crying out, "You may tie us up, but iet us have air." Further nllegafJions were that peoplo outside, who were believed to lie Hindus, jeered at the prisoners, saying, "Are you not Khalifat people with guns and swords P Can you not take water by force?" Madras advices state that the senior medical officer of Malabar gave evidence that the surviving prisoners received every attention while proceeding to Coimbatore. He also expressed opinion that the prisoners were asphyxiated. Too many were in a van, both, for the of air and also floor space. liven with the ventilation gauze removed, he was not sure that the van was fit 'for conveying human beings. The District Medical Officer denied that any bodies were mangled, but expressed the opinion that .he would not recommend carrying 100 prisoners in suoh a van. THE WAZIBI RAID. DELHI, Pecember 2. Further details of the Waziri raid from Afghanistan show that tbeoffiocrs killed were Captain Entwistle and Lieutenant Garrett, of the 92nd Punjabis. The former was killed while gallantly leading a counter-attack. He was wounded early, but continued to lead his men until he was killed. The command devolved on the S.khS' officer, and tho small band fought gallantly to the last under him. The casualties were: — : Two British officers and 39 Indian ranks killed and 21 , t Indian ranks wounded. Twenty were taken prisoners, but seventeen were subsequently released. The Afghan Government has expressed to Mr Henry Robert Dobba, British agent at Kabul, its abhorrence at the outrage and its profound regret. It -has also despatched a special officer to investigate.

Good work continues to be done by the Y.M.C.A. at the various military hospitals in the Dominion in tho way or providing entertainments for thq patients. Although the number ot patients at the King George V. Hospital, ltotorua, is declining, tae Military Committee of the Y.M.C.A. is continuing the Association's work there for tho time being. A letter has been forwarded to the Y.M.C.A. secretary at) Rotorua by the retiring accountant of tho Vocational Training Department, expressing appreciation of the work done by the Association, and the report of the Military Committee states that itis pleasing to note the good feeling that has always prevailed between the .Vocational Department and' the Y.M.C-A. A full programme of social entertainment and religious activities is being sustained at the Pukeora Sanatorium, Waipukurau, and Trentham Military Hospital. Special efforts are being made in all military hospitals to provide something special during the coming Christmas season. The two centres in the South Island, at Cashmere Hills and Hanmer Springs, report satisfactory progress, and will also make special efforts for the men who are compelled to stay in hospital during the festiva season.