QUIETER NOW IN BOMBAY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 270, 13 August 1942, Page 5

QUIETER NOW IN BOMBAY

Order To Be Maintained At Any Cost HINDUS CALM IN BENGAL (By Telegraph.—l’resa Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, August 12 The situation in Bombay was reported to be considerably quieter this morning than during the past three days and no further incidents of note occurred there. There were no fresh reports of violence except in Ahrriedabad where the police had to fire on a procession which refused to disperse and began stoning. The Governor of Bombay, Sir Roger Lumley, broadcasting yesterday, said: "I am going to maintain order at any cost. I now give plain warning that troops and police have been ordered to take the strongest measures wherever necessary.”. Bengal Province, where there are 20,000,000 Hindus, was yesterday reported to be calm.

It was officially reported from New Delhi yesterday that an angry crowd killed a Moslem police sub-inspector near the railway clearing accounts office, which was burnt out. The situation -became ugly yesterday morning because of the activities of a large crowd of mill-workers. The Town Hall was practically destroyed by fire, the Income tax office was 'burnt down, and many pillar boxes were uprooted. Police and troops were frequently forced to open fire. Numerous mill workers and students were arrested. Strong military reinforcements arrived and troops patrolled the streets. Congress speakers at a big meeting in New Delhi appealed for strict observance of non-violence. The “Hindustan Times,” which is edited by Gandhi’s son, condemns violence and says the Congress will not escape disgrace if violence continues.

The Bombay correspondent of the British United Press says that trouble is spreading from north Bombay to the more fashionable areas. Stretcher parties were active throughout the day yesterday. The casualties yesterday were 16 killed and more than 30 injured. Police Reinforced. Several hundred police were brought in to reinforce the city force, which is normally 7000. Scores of unescorted •women were calmly shopping in the European centre. Only a few miles away, students and workers roam the streets shrieking defiance at the British. 1 A violent mob broke into six police posts at Poona on Monday evening, smashing furniture and burning documents. The New Delhi correspondent of the “Daily Express” says that most of the shops are barred, but many are trading from the back door. Officials do not think the trouble will become really serious. FURTHER RIOTING Troops Help Police To Quell Disturbances CROWDS FIRED ON (Received August 12, 7 p.m.) LONDON, August Tl. Twenty-eight were killed and 200 injured in rioting throughout India up to 4 o’clock this afternoon. New Delhi radio reports that after a quiet night rioting was renewed in the Dadar and other areas in Bombay this morning. Further Government measures against rioting include the application of the Emergency Whipping Act. Rioting in the northern section of Bombay took a grave turn today and it is now unsafe for anyone to appear in this area wearing a Western hat or necktie. The police opened fire at four places in the morning and troops on two occasions participated in the firing on riotous crowds, but when the police were involved only a few were fired on each time. Unruly blobs In Bombay. The position in north Bombay became worse in the afternoon, with the dislocation of suburban rail services. A large crowd attacked the Matunga railway station, smashing indicators, invading the booking office and pulling down the ticket shelves. The crowd then broke up into groups, smashing fire hydrants, fire alarms and lampposts. The Matunga Post Office has been closed after the cutting of the telegraph and telephone wires. Rioters also cut several gas mains. Bonfires in the streets were fed with trees uprooted from the streets, hats, neckties and other articles of European clothing snatched from passers by and also copies of the British-owned “Times of India” newspaper.

There was no trading in any of the markets in Bombay today. Schools and colleges were closed or had the scantiest attendances. Mobs of students demonstrated, parading in front of shops to prevent them reopening. The East India Cotton Association, the biggest cotton market in India, is closing till Saturday and more .mills have closed in Bombay.

A later report states that Bombay remains a tense spot. Thirty-one people have been killed in tbe_ past three days and more than 250 injured. More than 500 have been arrested. Five deaths end 14 persons injured are reported today from Patna, three deaths and' 22 injured from Madura, three deaths from Old Delhi and one death in New Delhi. Disturbances occurred in New Delhi's busiest street this morning. Rioters, after setting fire to a fire engine and a lorry, attempted to set fire to the Municipal Hall. The police opened fire, killing one and wounding one. British troops were called out and are now patrolling the area. Death for Arson. The authorities in Cawnpore have promulgated the death penalty for arson and for using explosives. The New Delhi correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that at Cawnpore police opened fire after being stoned by an excited mob. Eight persons were taken to hospital, two in a serious condition. A Government order forbids newspaper headlines reflecting editorial opinion and requires the registration of all correspondents. It reiterates the determination to prevent the publication of any matter rousing sympathy for the Congress campaign. Troops patrolling in armoured cars discouraged demonstrators considerably in other cities. Reports indicate that Poona and Ahmadabad are quiet. Arrests of prominent Congress Party members continue in (lie various provinces. The provincial governments are implementing the banning of Congress committees. The authorities in Allahabad have prohibited all processions, and meetings for 10 days. EASTERN FRONTIER LONDON, August 11. Japanese forces in north-west Burma have been raided by the R.A.F. River transport was bombed, and 20 covered boats unloading cargo were attacked. The results are described as satisfactory.