UNREST IN INDIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 111, 7 April 1930, Page 7

UNREST IN INDIA

GANDHI’S CAMPAIGN, REDUCED TO A FARCE. IGNORED BY AUTHORITIES. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received April 7, 11.20 a.m. DELHI, April 6._ Gandhi easily leads the field in amassing honours in the civil disobedience campaign. He had the satisfaction of producing over a ton of salt, which is by no means palatable and comes under the Government edict as unfit for human consumption. The authorities are ignoring Gandhi’s efforts and, greatly to his disappointment, he still remains a free man. The police, however, took a swift action in another district of Bombay, where they arrested Katari, one or Gandhi’s chief lieutenants, and 55 volunteers. Reports from other parts of India indicate that the opening of the campaign was reduced to a farce. The Nationalists throughout India have planned demonstrations to break the salt laws, and in many centres salt -will be manufactured publicly. The belief is held that Gandhi willnot be arrested unless he so forces the issue as to leave no other alternative, for the Government authorities have made elaborate plans in case of dissurbance.

Armed police have been drafted to Dandi and British troops are held in readiness at various centres in the Bombay Presidency. Sir Frederick Sykes, Governor of Bombay, was due to leave Bombay this morning for a tour of the Presidency, but, following a meeting of the Executive Council, this has been postponed, presumably owing to developments in connection with Gandhi’s movement. AGITATION FOR GENERAL STRIKE. BRITISH PEOPLE STONED. DELHI, April 5. Sen Gupta presided at a meeting held under the auspices of the Calcutta trade unions, The meeting passed a resolution calling on all workers to take part in a general strike as a protest against police interference with the carters’ agitation. Several thousand rail strikers who attacked the Victoria terminus station in Bombay were dispersed by a force of police, who fired on the mob. Over thirty were injured and taken to hospital. A party of British people returning in a jmotor car from a cinema performance were stoned by the strikers. Two, including a woman, were injured.