500 ARRESTED IN INDIA

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25735, 22 February 1949, Page 5

500 ARRESTED IN INDIA

Alleged Communist Sabotage Plans ARMED GUARDS'AT INSTALLATIONS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21. "In the last few days 500 arrests have been made throughout India of Communist ringleaders who planned to attack powerhouses, workshops, signal-boxes, and bridges on the railways, and other communications,” says the New Delhi correspondent of the "Daily Herald.” "A high official of the Indian Home Office said that the Government had definite information that the Communists wanted to use - the railway strike called for March 9 for extensive sabotage. Secret circulars detailing Communist intentions to use explosives against vital installations had been discovered, and had led to the round-up. "Some postal and telegraph workers who planned to strike on March 9 had been arrested. Armed police are guarding key points, patrolling tracks, and watching pumping stations and powerhouses. "The Indian Government has banned the Communist newspaper, ‘People’s Age,’ in West Bengal. “The arrests over the week-end bring the total number of Communists detained in India to about 1600. "The Indian Government is expected to introduce a bill making strikes in essential services illegal when ‘prompted for party ends’.”