INDIAN RIOTS FLARE UP AGAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22363, 23 June 1947, Page 3

INDIAN RIOTS FLARE UP AGAIN

MURDER AND ARSON TROOPS OPEN FIRE MANY HOUSES BURNED REINFORCEMENTS CALLED (10 a.m.) NEW DELHI, June 22. Extra British troops and police who have hocn brought into Lahore opened tire to disperse crowds in the worst day of arson since the beginning of the recent disturbances. Eleven stabbings have been reported, five of them fatal. Gurkha troops and police dispersed with small-arms fire rival crowds of Hindus and Moslems who were exchanging shots. Smoke Darkens Sky More than 150 houses were gutted. Smoke from the fires darkened the whole sky. Most of the burned-out buildings were homes abandoned by their owners who had fled because of fear of rioters. The police stood watching helplessly while rioters carrying flares raced through empty buildings. Lahore’s four fire engines could make little impression on the fires, most of which had to be left to burn themselves out. Three bombs exploded simultaneously in the vegetable market at Lahore, killing nine persons and injuring nearly 50. The police wounded six others when they fired to disperse a gathering crowd. The police arrested three persons for questioning. The authorities have imposed a 24-hour curfew on the city. Fifty persons were killed and scores injured in a clash between landowners and tenants near Lucknow. Cases of murder and arson have also been reported and troops and police have been sent to the village and a curfew imposed. A new fire which began in Lahore early today destroyed about 100 houses in addition lo those destroyed in yesterday's fires. Police and troops fired 100 rounds on curfew breakers during the confusion the fires caused and are reported to have wounded six people. The Associated Press correspondent says that 29 separate fires in all destroyed 200 houses, including some containing valuable merchandise.

A meeting of Congress, Sikh and Independent members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly demanded martial law in the disturbed areas of Punjab. Disturbances in Calcutta Four persons were killed and nine injured in a series of incidents in the east, north and central districts of Calcutta today. The authorities rushed reinforcements into the affected areas. The police broke up mobs looting shops and also a clash between Hindus and Moslems. They arrested 75 persons during the day’s incidents. The Punjab Provincial Assembly will vote on partition tomorrow and it is considered both Moslem and nonMoslem representatives arc certain to decide for partition. The possibilities of disorder are ranked high because partition means the splitting of G,00,000 Sikh population. The Governor of Bengal. Sir Frederick Burrows, announced that as a result of the Bengal Assembly’s decision to partition the province members elected by it iu the existing Indian Constituent Assembly would cease to be members of it. Members of the Bengal Assembly repiesenting Hindu majority areas would elect new representatives to the existing Constituent Assembly, and those representing the Moslem majority area would elect representatives to the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. The Governor added that he was taking the necessary steps for these elections. Withdrawal of Governor The Moslem League Party in the Assembly has asked the Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, to withdraw Sir Frederick Burrows while the referendum is being held. The party expressed a lack of confidence in the Governor “in view of his partisan attitude." The Travancore Slate Government has announced that it has agreed after the British withdrawal from India to enter into relations with Pakistan. Travancore earlier declared for independence. The announcement of this agreement with Pakistan is especially valuable because it banishes the prevalent fear as to rice supplies which can hereafter be expected to be dispatched direct from Karachi to ports in Travancore. High officials of the Indian Government have received from London a draft fif the Act which will replace the Government of India Act of 1935 when power is transferred to India. It is expected that the Act will be submitted to the Indian leaders on Monday.