TOLL OF RIOTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20860, 12 August 1942, Page 4

TOLL OF RIOTS

28 DEAD,-200 HURT BOMBAY - DANGER GRAVE TURN TAKEN NEW EMERGENCY STEPS (By Telegraph—Presa Ansa.—Copyright.) (1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 11. Twenty-eight persons were killed and 200 injured in rioting throughout India up to 4 o’clock this afternoon. The Governor of Bombay, Sir Roger Lumley, broadcasting, said: “I am going to maintain order at any cost. 1 now give a plain warning that the troops and police have been ordered to take the strongest measures, wherever necessary.”

Further Government measures against rioting include the application of the emergency Whipping Act. Rioting in the northern sector, of Bo'mbay'city took a grave turn to-day. 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. Troops on two occasions participated in firing on riotous crowds, but, as when the police were involved, only a few shots were fired each time. Troops patrolling in armoured cars discouraged demonstrators considerably in other cities. The reports indicate that Poona and Ahmadabad are quiet. The arrests of prominent members of the Congress Party continue in the various provinces. Provincial Governments are implementing the banning of Congress Party committees. The authorities in Allahabad have prohibited all processions and meetings for 10 days. Crowds Cause Damage The position in north Bombay became worse during the afternoon with the dislocation of the suburban rail services. A large crowd attacked the Matunga railway station, smashing the indicators, invading the booking office, and pulling down the ticket shelves. The crowd then broke up into groups, smashing fire hydrants, fire alarms and lamp posts. The Matunga post office has been closed. After the cutting of the telegraph ana telephone wires, the rioters also cut several gas mains. Bonfires in the street were fed with trees uprooted from the streets. Hats, neckties and other articles of European clothing were snatched from passers-by, anu also copies of the British-owned Times of India newspaper.

There was no trading in any markets in Bombay to-day. Schools and colleges were closed or had very scanty attendances. Mobs of students demonstrated, parading before the shops and preventing their reopening. The East India Cotton Association, the biggest cotton market in India, is closing until August 15. More mills have closed In Bombay. New Delhi reports that after a quiet night rioting was renewed in Padar and other areas of Bombay this morning. Chinese Support Congress Disturbances occurred in Delhi’s busiest street in the 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 person and wounding one. British troops were called out and are now patrolling the area, Sir Sikandar Hyat-Khan, Premier of the Punjab, visiting troops in the Western Desert, said: “The Congress Party’s unpatriotic attitude is a cowardly betrayal of the motherland and of hundreds of thousands of gallant countrymen who are shedding blood thousands of miles from home to stive India from subjugation to fascism. I am confident that all patriotic Indians will see to It that the men fighting our battles are not betrayed.” The Associated Press correspondent ir. Chungking reports that Dr. Sun Fo, president of the Legislative Yuan, said that the Chinese sympathy was entirely’with the Indians. It is understood that the Chinese press to-mor-row will proclaim its support for the Indian Congress Party leaders and urge the British to strive for a peaceful settlement. The correspondent said it was impossible to predict the effect of China’s attitude on Anglo-Chinesc relations, but Chinese official reaction is clcarlv crystallising in favour of India. The Indian problem is crucial for China because of the supply routes via India.