SLAUGHTER IN INDIA

Grey River Argus, 20 November 1946, Page 5

SLAUGHTER IN INDIA

NEARLY 6,000 KILLED

Casualties Exceed 20,000

LONDON, Nov. 18

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee), replying to a question in the House of Commons, said that 5946 were killed and 14,550 wounded in British India since June 29, 1946, practically all in communal disturbances.

The figures exclude Bihar during November and the Tippera and Ooakhali districts during ’ October, about which estimates are not available.

The critics of U.N.R.R.A. secured the withdrawal of a motion before the Indian Central Assembly to-day seeking approval of further contribution by India of about £1,500,000, says Reuter’s New Delhi correspondent.

Congress and Moslem, leaders both claimed India would not be justified in making any additional contribution to an organisation which had not helped India when help was needed.

The Minister of Commerce, in the interim Government, Chundrigar, said he fully recognised the criticisms and would re-examine the position.

Feeling in India

REACTION AGAINST KILLINGS

LONDON, November 19.

“The Times” Delhi correspondent savs: —After the dreadful happenings of recent weeks in Bengal, in Bombay, in Bihar, ad i'n the United Provinces, a reaction seems to have set in throughout the country, and there is a strong revulsion of public opinion against the communal excesses which, it is felt, have besmirched India’s 'name before the world. This is not to say that religious fanaticism or political obduracy have been eliminated, or even controlled, but merely that their outbursts temporarily have bee'n checked, partly by fear of reprisals; partly by the influence of national leaders, who have condemned such outbursts unreservedly; and partly by new restraints which were imposed’ on newspapers. It is difficult to gauge how events will move in the near future, and whether a calmer mood will prevail between now and December 9 when the Constituent. Assembly is scheduled to meet. There is no indication yet that the Moslem League intends to take action rescinding its decision to boycott the Constituent Assembly, although it is believed that Dr. Jinnah gave the Viceroy a specific assurance on this issue before five members of the Moslem League entered the Cabinet. Impartial observers fervently hope that the communal atmosphere will improve from now on, enabling the Moslem League to redeem its pledge to co-operate in a long term plan.